SXSW: An Obamanation

SXSW has announced that both Barack and Michelle Obama will deliver keynotes at this year’s music and tech conferences.

On March 11th at the opening of SXSW Interactive, US President Obama will engage in conversation with Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith to discuss civic engagement in the 21st century. The focus is expected to be on how tech companies could be addressing challenges including increasing participation in the political process and combatting climate change.

The First Lady will speak a few days later at the opening of the music conference on March 16th, about industry support for her ‘Let Girls Learn’ initiative, which aims to help the 62 million girls around the world not in school to access education.

SXSW co-founder Roland Swenson said; “I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th year than to welcome both the President and First Lady to SXSW”.

Swenson continued: “As each new generation comes up at SXSW they look for ways they can be of service, and it’s important to reflect and support that message. President and Mrs Obama’s visit here will inspire attendees to that purpose”.

Previous keynotes at the music conference include Bruce Springsteen, Snoop Dogg and Johnny Cash but even by such standards, this is a pretty huge announcement!