Want to Attend SXSW London?

Here’s How to Convince your Boss

Where Innovation Meets Culture

An incredible convergence of industries, businesses and artforms is coming together to network and share ideas at the SXSW London debut, 2–7 June 2025. 

Fuel Your Future

Across the Conference, Music & Screen Festivals, you can hear from world-leading experts, innovators, thought-leaders, artists and opinion-shapers and take the latest trends and thinking back to your company. You’ll leave SXSW London bursting with knowledge and inspiration, and armed with new contacts. You can’t put a cost on that.


Of course, convincing your boss that you should be there is another matter.  Ready to try? Here are some tips.

First, you will need a letter, or a well crafted email, to make the case to your boss.

We’ve created a template that you can use as a starting point. 

BE BOLD AND LIST YOUR TOP REASONS FOR ATTENDING

Make your case more compelling by identifying at least three great reasons for attending that can benefit your organisation, while also aligning with your professional goals.

Reasons could be:

Networking with new industries and making connections
Accessing the latest trends and future-facing ideas
Discussing your next big idea with potential partners
Fueling your knowledge through hearing from experts 

GET TO KNOW THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Get familiar with the Conference tracks, formats and speakers, and compile a list of the kind of programming and themes that align with your professional objectives and role.

Add these to your letter, as part of your professional plea. 

COMPILE  A ROUGH BUDGET

As with any trip, attending SXSW London will have costs attached that your boss needs to consider. So spend some time planning this out so you can show your boss you plan to work hard and keep the budget low. 

Costs to consider:

  • Your Pass. Check out pass types for costs (save on the walk-up rate when you book early)

  • Hotel / accommodation

  • Airfare or train (book your flight early and set up flight alerts to be on top of when to book for the lowest price)

  • Subsistence (some networking events include complimentary refreshments, but budget for lunch and dinner)

SEND YOUR REQUEST LETTER

Once you have gathered all the right info, put it all together in a compelling letter, or well-crafted email tailored to your boss’s communication style. 

If you want to avoid professional FOMO, be at SXSW London.

Good Luck! We hope to see you there,  2–7 June.

SXSW London also offers group discount rates for organisations sending teams of 10 or more.