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St. Louis took to the stage at South by Southwest, one of the most prominent gatherings of leaders and innovators in the world, and shined in the spotlight. Dozens of people officially represented St. Louis at SXSW this past weekend, highlighting St. Louis’ leadership in entrepreneurship and tech growth, arts, culture, sports, food, and solving critical challenges like food and climate security.
Greater St. Louis, Inc. spearheaded the effort to submit multiple panel proposals and coordinated the St. Louis delegation’s activities at the Midwest House as part of its regional business and talent attraction efforts.
“The Midwest House truly transformed into a place for St. Louisans past and present to reconnect and show off the pride they have in their hometown,” said Tracy Whelpley, GSL Senior Vice President for Business Attraction, adding that STLMade gear, beer, and giveaways disappeared quickly, with visitors clamoring for a taste of St. Louis.
While St. Louis placed two official panels at SXSW 2023, the region had representation in a total of eight panels, took over the Midwest House, and competed in a City Pitch competition, going head-to-head with other cities to show innovators, founders, and investors why St. Louis is an ideal region with which they can partner. St. Louis CITY SC even took home the 2023 eMLS Cup, part of this year’s SXSW.
“We were able to successfully showcase St. Louis on a very global scale,” said Steven Pearce, GSL Chief Business Attraction Officer. “We met with dozens of companies to talk about their expansion and relocation efforts, promoting our metro as a vibrant and vital place for business.”
Organizers are already planning for a bigger showing at SXSW 2024, looking forward to future collaboration that will allow St. Louis to build on its momentum and brand as a place where everyone can Start Up, Stand Out, and Stay.
Check out the coverage:
St. Louis will be on display at this year's South by Southwest conference (St. Louis INNO)
St. Louis CITY SC’s Winning Ways Continue As Niklas “NR7” Raseck Wins The 2023 eMLS Cup (St. Louis CITY SC)
St. Louis' Balkan Treat Box present at "South by Southwest" in Austin, TX (KMOX)
Akeem Shannon, designer of FlipStik, joins Total Information PM (KMOX)