SXSW releases 2010 income figures

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The economic impact from the annual South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals on the Austin area is on the upward trend again compared to last year, as officials released 2010 income figures.

The overall total for 2010 -- the 24th year of SXSW -- is $113 million. This compares to a dip to $99 million for 2009, $103 million in 2008 and $95 million for 2007's events.

The breakdown of the 2010 numbers was given as $84 million from attendance, including people from outside Austin who came to the city for SXSW. Of the $113 million, $29 million was an operational impact.

The annual conference, trade show and festival welcomed more SXSW visitors than ever before, officials said.

SXSW was nine days of industry conference activities, four days of trade shows, a five-night music festival featuring more than 1,900 artists on more than 80 stages, a nine-day-and-night film festival with more than 300 screenings in eight venues, three nights of free concerts at Auditorium Shores, a four-day poster art show with 120 stands and 70 top artists and a two-day video gaming arcade.