AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Austin Technology Council (ATC) today announced the Dell ATC Policy Labs, which will kick off with six sessions presented in partnership with the 2015 South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival.
These official SXSW sessions will introduce the Dell ATC Policy Labs, a year-round initiative to educate and engage the Central Texas innovation community on federal issues that impact technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. ATC Policy Partners – senior national advocates for key verticals in the Central Texas tech ecosystem – will moderate the SXSW sessions and return to Austin throughout the year to co-host Dell ATC Policy Labs events.
“Entrepreneurs and tech innovation move at astounding speed and sometimes it’s difficult for Washington to keep up,” said Cris Turner, Director of North American Government Affairs, Dell. “Austin, SXSW, and the Dell ATC Policy Labs provide the ideal alternative to Washington for innovators and policymakers to explore federal policy solutions in the context of a diverse, thriving regional tech economy.”
ATC’s 2015 Policy Partners and their policy focus include:
- App Developers Alliance – Developers
- Comptel – Innovation/Competition
- Engine Advocacy – Startups/Entrepreneurs
- Entertainment Software Association – Gamers
- Internet Infrastructure Coalition – Cloud/Infrastructure
- Internet Association – Online Economy
Conducted on Saturday, March 14, at the Omni Downtown Capital Ballroom, the Dell ATC Policy Labs at SXSW will draw more than 20 government officials from Washington, D.C. to discuss policy issues affecting tech, entrepreneurs, and the innovation economy with Austin tech leaders and global influencers. The Dell ATC Policy Labs at SXSW are open to all SXSW Interactive, Gold, and Platinum registrants.
“The Policy Labs at SXSW embody one of our main missions as a festival – to serve as a platform to bring together thought leaders and the community to not only discuss issues of our time, but also to come away with tangible, actionable solutions,” said Hugh Forrest, Director of SXSW Interactive. “We are excited to see that Washington is investing in Austin’s innovative approach and are proud to partner with Dell and ATC for these sessions.”
“Austin is quickly gaining momentum as a mecca for technological innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Julie Huls, President and CEO of ATC. “Washington is increasingly paying attention to Austin’s ability to not only foster tech talent and creativity, but also our potential to serve as a catalyst in national policy discussions. Launching the Dell ATC Policy Labs in Austin, and specifically with an official, full-day of panels at SXSW, is directly reflective of this fact.”
“Engagement with crafting technology policy is another way that Texas is leading our nation,” said U.S. Senator John Cornyn. “I commend the Austin Technology Council and their partners for continuing to be at the forefront of these federal policy conversations, and I welcome this innovative approach that is taking policy conversations out of Washington, D.C. and bringing them to where the technology innovators driving our economy exist.”
Dell ATC Policy Labs at SXSW
March 14, 2015, 9:30am – 6:00pm
Omni
Downtown, Capital Ballroom
700 San Jacinto
Sessions include:
- Politics of Innovation: DC, Tech Working Together
- Can Washington Protect the Net Economy?
- Net Infrastructure: The Economy's Hidden Backbone
- The Cake is Not a Lie: Gamers and the US Workforce
- Making Sense of the Competitive Comms Landscape
- Re-imagining Privacy for Consumers and Developers
The latest schedule and participants can be found at the above links and at http://austintechnologycouncil.org/dell-atc-policy-labs/. Join in on the conversation online by using #policylabs.
About Austin Technology Council
The Austin Technology Council (ATC) is the voice of Central Texas’ diverse and thriving technology and life sciences industries, representing more than 1,600 technology executives, 280 companies, and 60,000 employees. The Austin technology and life sciences sectors contribute $21.5 billion annually to the regional economy and support more than one third of local jobs. By convening Austin’s top technology executives, ATC is leading the effort to meet the future needs of the industry through increased access to technical talent, increased access to later-stage capital, the support of a thriving life sciences ecosystem, and connectivity across the industry and with key stakeholders in Texas and around the world.
Connect with us:
Website: www.austintechnologycouncil.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AustinTechCouncil
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/atcouncil
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=42568&trk=my_groups-b-grp-v
About Dell
Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com.
About SXSW Interactive
The 22nd annual SXSW Interactive Festival returns to Austin, Texas from Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17, 2015. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the 2015 event features Dr. Astro Teller, the Winkelvoss Twins, Jessica Alba, Senator Rand Paul, Malcolm Gladwell and hundreds more industry experts. Additionally, SXSW Interactive includes scores of exciting networking events and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas that the community has to offer.
For questions on ATC or the Dell ATC Policy Labs please contact
Kari
Hernandez
INK for ATC
Phone: 512.382.8980
Email: atc@ink-pr.com
For more general questions on the 2015 SXSW Interactive Festival, please contact inter@sxsw.com.
