FAQ

Can I still volunteer?

SXSW Volunteer Calls for Film, Interactive and Music took place in January. The response was tremendous and we thank all of the folks who attended. If you did not make it to one of them, but still wish to volunteer, please email a volunteer coordinator to see if any positions are still available. We can't guarantee that spots are still available so you must act quickly. Email us today.

What if I live out-of-town and want to volunteer?

Please contact us immediately via e-mail, phone or fax so that we can send you an out of towner volunteer packet. You should send a resume and a letter of interest, detailing why you would like to volunteer, as well as a passport-size photo of yourself when you make your application. You must take care of your travel, transportation, nourishment and housing on your own, Volunteering for SXSW as an out-of-towner is no small effort, and quite a considerable expense on your part. Our volunteer calls are usually quite successful each year and we try to use local volunteers as much as possible.

What is "bag-stuffing"?

SXSW gives out promtional materials to all registrants. The Promotional Materials/Bag Stuffing Fun requires all of our volunteers as we have tons of stuff to give away each year. It has become known as 'BagStuffing' because we give out the materials in these groovy canvas bags. The bags usually have some sort of cool art on them (SouthPark characters, Frank Kozik art, etc.) and they are usually quite the collectors' items. Depending on which perks you are going for, you will attend the Film/Interactive bagstuffing or the Music Bagstuffing. If you are going for a Platinum Badge and are not scheduled to work on Sunday Mar. 12, you need to attend the Music Bagstuffing in addition to the Film/Interactive Bag Stuffing. If you aren't going for a Plat and would like to attend both bagstuffings for additional hours (and aren't already scheduled to work), callto speak with one of the Conference Volunteer Coordinators at 512.467.7979. F/I Bagstuffing: Thurs. Mar. 9th from 6pm - 11pm. Music Bagstuffing: Sun. Mar 12th from 1pm - 6pm. Both will happen at the Austin Convention Center.

How do I determine what bagstuffing to go to, or, how do I tell which bagstuffing is mandatory for me?

The perks you are going for determine the bagstuffing you are supposed to go to. If you are earning the music badge, then you are supposed to go to the music bagstuffing. *Those who are earning Music badges (or wristbands) may opt to go to an addtl bagstuffing, the Film/Interactive Bagstuffing, and thus earn an addtl 6 hours of credit, but, as stated, it is optional to attend the F/I Bagstuffing, if and only if you are earning music perks. Going to an additional bagstuffing must be pre-arranged via HQ; that is, you must call and let us know you are planning to go to BOTH bagstuffings.

The crews you work on have nothing to do with what bagstuffing you go to. The perks you earn determine what bagstuffing you go to. If you are earning a Platinum Pass (badge) then you must attend BOTH bagstuffings, IE, both bagstuffings are mandatory for vol's earning a Plat Pass. The exception to this: If you are scheduled to work during Music Bagstuffing, as part of the film and Interactive Crews, then it will not be necessary to be at Music Bagstuffing.

It would be helpful, in these cases, for the volunteer to email us, remind us that they are in fact already scheduled to work on a crew during music bagstuffing. If a volunteer is scheduled to work through a PORTION of Music Bagstuffing on Sunday, then we will be expecting that volunteer to report to exhibit hall 3 for the part of music bagstuffing that they are able to attend. Each Crew Chief has a number of exceptions that they are able to request via HQ, as follows: 1. A Crew Chief can request that a vol be allowed to SWITCH from F/I Bagstuffing to Music Bagstuffing and vice versa. 2. A Crew Chief can request that a vol be entirely exempt from all bagstuffings, in the case that the vol is working for that crew at the time of bagstuffing, or whatever reaason that the Crew Chief deems it appropriate.

What if you have a personal engagement during a mandatory bag-stuffing?

Try to get out of it! Contact your Volunteer Coordinator at the SXSW Office if you can't.

Out of Town Volunteer Requirements - (if you are interested in Music Festival - see Music Fest Info)

If you can mail us your contact info/resume/letter of interest/photo, AND you can answer 'yes' to each of the following questions, then we will try to make a spot for you on our Volunteer Corps: 1. Can you be here the whole 10 days of the festival? 2. Can you provide your own transportation? 3. Can you provide your own housing? 4. Are you prepared to take care of your own food requirements? You must also attend a mandatory bagstuffing.

Do volunteers get to keep a bag from bagstuffing?

Not at the Bagstuffing, however, if the perk they earn warrants them a bag, then they can pick one up at thePromotional Materials booth.

What about parking for conference volunteers?

Austin is just growing by leaps and bounds, and parking downtown is becoming more of a nightmare than ever before. Use public transportation when possible, or carpool, that's our best advice. To catch a Congress Avenue 'Dillo, park in the City Coliseum parking lot; you can then walk to the southeast corner of Barton Springs and Bouldin (this is southwest of the parking lot itself) . This shuttle arrives every 10 minutes during prime commuting time and every 14 minutes the rest of the day. It will drop you off at 2nd Street and Congress and you can walk to the Convention Center. This shuttle runs on the weekdays only. If you have a weekend shift, please carpool, bike, bus or prepare to pay for parking. There's a lot of construction going on around the Convention Center and it may be difficult to find street parking. Beginning Wednesday March 15, you may park at the Hyatt Hotel on Barton Springs and catch a SXSW van over to the Convention Center, but keep in mind that the Hyatt now has a "pay-to-park" lot this year ! Perhaps if you can get to the Hyatt via other means (walking, your bike, a friend drops you off) then you can just go to the Hyatt Bellstand to be directed to the SXSW Transpo Room, from there, we can get you over to the Convention Center in one of our vans. We had hoped for better parking info as of this mailing, but no better plan has developed. Note that there is paid parking at the ACC Parking Garage, but it's fairly expensive.