AUSTIN Update Thread - Page 347

wwmiv · #**6921** Posted: **Apr 22, 2011, 9:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnio

Lulz.

Is it really news that some San Antonio council member mentioned that he thinks it would be a good idea? Imagine that!

It isn't news because it is a possibility (it clearly isn't going to happen... ever), but because this guy is so stupid that he thinks that it is. My main point in posting it was because snippets like this clearly show that there is pent up demand for hotel space - demand which will likely result in dense urban hotel development instead of hinterland development.

I'm excited about these events. To be honest, larger hotel space means larger likelihood of a presidential nomination convention coming here in the future. Can you imagine the Democrats having their 2016 convention here?

Somnio · #**6922** Posted: **Apr 22, 2011, 9:48 PM**

Here's a funny article in the Statesman entertainment section in response to the San Antonio council member's proposal...

Quote:

San Antonio offers to take SXSW off our hands

By Michael Corcoran | Friday, April 22, 2011, 03:00 PM

In the wake of overcrowded and rowdy conditions at the recent 25th anniversary of South by Southwest, San Antonio City Councilman John Clamp told the San Antonio Business Journal that SXSW organizers should consider moving their event to the Alamo City..

This is not an April Fool’s joke three weeks late.

...

Here's the link to read the rest...
http://www.austin360.com/blogs/conte...n_music_source

wwmiv · #**6923** Posted: **Apr 22, 2011, 9:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnio

Here's a funny article in the Statesman entertainment section in response to the San Antonio council member's proposal...

Here's the link to read the rest...
http://www.austin360.com/blogs/conte...n_music_source

My favorite is "Logistical problems continue to plague SXSW in SA: How can 2,000 bands play three clubs?"

There are more than three venues in San Antonio... Though they still don't have anywhere near the amount of venues needed, and that doesn't even consider that they're all over the place instead of being centrally located like in Austin.

I just emailed Councilwoman Ivy Taylor about this, she usually responds to me as I'm a former student of hers. I'll post the response when I get it.

Jdawgboy · #**6924** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 2:00 AM**

Oh I have an idea, lets talk to the organizers of FIESTA and try to move it to Austin...

KevinFromTexas · #**6925** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 2:09 AM**

Well we are kind of stealing their riverwalk.

Anyway, dumb idea. It would kill it. I'd never attend a SXSW show that wasn't in Austin.

wwmiv · #**6926** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 3:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Oh I have an idea, lets talk to the organizers of FIESTA and try to move it to Austin...

Fiesta is boring.

Hill Country · #**6927** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 4:21 AM**

A few years ago there was a similar situation with the ROT Rally. Somebody in S.A. wanted the event to move there. Although the ROT Rally does seem to be a good fit for S.A. with all those beer bellies and way over the hill biker chicks.

BevoLJ · #**6928** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 4:27 AM**

Clear Channel strikes again! Hahaha

What a goof ball. Clearly showing he has no idea what South By is and who made it. It is not like some annual car salesman convention that can move from Vegas to San Diego to SA every year. It is organized every bit as much if not more by the companies, business, professors and venues that make up the fabric of Austin's tech, education and entertainment industries than the actual South By organizers.

They would have a lot more success starting their own version of South By like Toronto and Portland have tried to do.

And ya, South By in the same city as Clear Channel? That would make this years "rowdy" South By look like a nun convention. What a powder keg that would be.

I love San Antonio and all but I'm sorry, it represent the opposite of what South By does.

migol24 · #**6929** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 4:43 AM**

I have a better idea. Why not build more hotels and keep it in Austin, where it belongs?

!!!

Hill Country · #**6930** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 5:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

I have a better idea. Why not build more hotels and keep it in Austin, where it belongs?

!!!

Good plan. Let's get started on that first thing Monday morning.

migol24 · #**6931** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 5:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Well we are kind of stealing their riverwalk.

Anyway, dumb idea. It would kill it. I'd never attend a SXSW show that wasn't in Austin.

If I can count the times I had europeans attending SXSW tell me how much they love going to SXSW just to visit Austin. Many of them even stay a few days extra just to enjoy the city "without all the craziness". SXSW and Austin are almost synonymous at this point.

migol24 · #**6932** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 5:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Good plan. Let's get started on that first thing Monday morning.

I'm flying back to Austin from San Francisco! Let's dew dis!

Hill Country · #**6933** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 5:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

I'm flying back to Austin from San Francisco! Let's dew dis!

Great. I'll be heading to New York to talk some sense into those damn bankers that don't want to lend any money.

migol24 · #**6934** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 6:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Great. I'll be heading to New York to talk some sense into those damn bankers that don't want to lend any money.

You should give them the slogan Rick Perry used, "we're open for business." That oughtta do it!

BevoLJ · #**6935** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 6:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Great. I'll be heading to New York to talk some sense into those damn bankers that don't want to lend any money.

I'll knock some sense into the the bankers in London too.

Hill Country · #**6936** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 7:29 AM**

I plan to come right out and say, "Look, if we don't get a few thousand more hotels rooms in Downtown Austin, SXSW may move to San Antonio!" If that doesn't get them in the lending mood I don't know what will.

migol24 · #**6937** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 7:53 AM**

So far from what I've read it seems like San Antonio is confident they will take SXSW. What do you guys think are the chances of this happening? Cause if it does, I don't see how Austin can be what it is today. It's gonna change a lot and probably not in a good way.

edit:
Well at least other local San Antonioans agree with us. That's gotta be good.
http://www.kens5.com/entertainment/S...120513529.html

KevinFromTexas · #**6938** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 8:10 AM**

A lot of the articles talking about a lack of hotels and just proposed hotels in general in Austin, always bring up SXSW and ACL, and how a lack of hotels created a mad dash for any available ones. This last SXSW, the city came up 500 rooms short. That's a big number, but really it isn't. We have at least 2,000 hotel rooms planned just for downtown alone. Really the problem is that developers can't get the bank loans they need to start their projects.

And then there's this:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business...sts-653696.php

Quote:

Too many hotels, too few guests

By Valentino Lucio - Express-News
Published 07:00 p.m., Friday, September 10, 2010

The number of downtown San Antonio hotels has jumped almost 30 percent this decade, which has Hector Venegas, general manager of the Menger Hotel, looking for ways to boost revenue and fill rooms.

Supply is overwhelming, Venegas said, and there is no demand. We're basically giving the rooms away to try to cover our expenses.

The City of Austin really needs to push the issue of getting some more hotels built, or we'll risk losing a guaranteed $110 million economic boost every year (SXSW). One of the great things about tourism, particularly these urban type festivals, is that they're clean industry. They create very little pollution, generate a ton of money and then the people go back home.

wwmiv · #**6939** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 8:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

So far from what I've read it seems like San Antonio is confident they will take SXSW. What do you guys think are the chances of this happening? Cause if it does, I don't see how Austin can be what it is today. It's gonna change a lot and probably not in a good way.

edit:
Well at least other local San Antonioans agree with us. That's gotta be good.
http://www.kens5.com/entertainment/S...120513529.html

San Antonio is confident without reason. The festival is as likely to move as pigs are to fly.

KevinFromTexas · #**6940** Posted: **Apr 23, 2011, 8:26 AM**

Keep SXSW in Austin, TX Facebook page