As a Conference Volunteer, you will be working hours toward a perk.

• All Conference Volunteers are required to work a minimum of 30 hours, and at least 50 hours to start earning perks.
• ALL perks are non-transferable and will only be issued to the volunteer working the hours.
• Venue age and capacity restrictions apply.

Conference Volunteers are eligible to earn one of the following perks:

50 - 59 hours = VOLUNTEER FILM or INTERACTIVE BADGE
or MUSIC WRISTBAND
60 - 79 hours = VOLUNTEER GOLD or MUSIC BADGE
*80 hours or more = VOLUNTEER PLATINUM BADGE

Volunteer Film Badge: Access into SXSW Film events, including screenings, trade show, panels, mentor sessions and most parties. Holder may also pick up a Film Big Bag and Directory. Not eligible for SXXpress Pass and some lounges.

Volunteer Interactive Badge: Access into SXSW Interactive events, including trade show, panels, mentor sessions and most parties. Holder may also pick up an Interactive Big Bag and Directory. Not eligible for SXXpress Pass and some lounges.

Music Wristband: General public wristband, which allows second tier entry into music venues. A ticket for a Music Big Bag & Directory, Softball & BBQ is included. Not eligible for SXXpress Pass and lounges.

Volunteer Gold Badge: Access into all SXSW Film and Interactive events, including screenings, trade show, panels, mentor sessions and most parties. Holder may also pick up both Film and Interactive Big Bags and Directories. Not eligible for SXXpress Pass and some lounges.

Volunteer Music Badge: Access into SXSW Music events, including trade show, panels, mentor sessions, most parties and the Sunday Softball & BBQ. Holder may also pick up a Music Big Bag and Directory. Not eligible for SXXpress Pass and some lounges.

*Volunteer Platinum Badge: Access to all SXSW Film, Interactive and Music events, including film screenings, showcases, panels, trade show, most parties and the Sunday BBQ & softball tournament. The holder may also pick up Big Bags and Directories for all 3 conferences. Not eligible for SXXpress Pass and some lounges.

*Platinum Badges are reserved for returning volunteers. Returning volunteers that have never earned a Platinum Badge before and would like to do so in 2012, will need to have a Platinum Badge Nomination Form filled out by their prior year's crew chief during the Volunteer Call. Platinum Badges may also be acquired on specialty crews, which require that volunteers possess a proven skill such as photography, videography or other technical skills and have demonstrated, or provided proof of such skill.

IMPORTANT PERK INFORMATION

Conference Crew Hours vs. Production Shifts

Conference Crews work a wide variety of hours and therefore perks are earned depending on the number of hours worked. In contrast, Production Crews are required to work a set schedule without much flexibility, thus they work on a shift basis to earn a perk. Volunteers are unable to combine Conference hours and Production shifts to earn a perk.

In addition, the different needs of the crews require we keep each type of crew separate. Production Volunteers receive very specific training and must work all of their shifts on the same crew. It is not a good use of a crew manager or the volunteer’s time to be retrained nightly on different crews or venues during the event. Conference Crews operate in a broader capacity and may be cross-trained to work in several different areas.

Upgrading Your Perk During the Event

It is possible to upgrade your perk during the event, however it is not a common practice and not approved unless there is a valid need for additional assistance. Additional hours must be obtained on your existing scheduled crews, not new crews. You must obtain an “Hours/Perk Adjustment” form from Volunteer Central and have it completed by your crew chief and returned to Volunteer Central for approval. Your crew chief is responsible for inputting additional hours into your schedule. Be sure this takes place before returning to Volunteer Central to obtain your upgraded perk.

If an Interactive or Film Badge has already been picked up, it can be upgraded to a Gold Badge or Platinum Badge*. However, it may NOT be changed to a music wristband, or upgraded to a Music Badge.

If you have not picked up a perk, you may change your perk to whatever you would like barring you have the appropriate number of hours.

*New volunteers are not eligible to upgrade to a Platinum Badge.

Attending Film Screenings, Music Showcases, Panels

Volunteers receiving badges and the music wristband are entitled to a Directory for the appropriate conference(s) and festival(s) their perk pertains to. The Directory is a SXSW essential and is filled with information about all of the events taking place during SXSWeek. Pocket Guides are also available for pick-up by all attendees and can be found throughout the ACC. These are smaller, quick reference guides that will give schedules for film screenings, panels, showcases and some of the many parties. There is one for each of the 3 conferences and festivals.

If an event is not found in our Directories or Pocket Guides, then it isn’t ours and we will be unable to help you with information regarding that event. There are hundreds and hundreds of “unofficial” SXSW activities that are mistaken for SXSW organized events.

Access to events is restricted to the appropriate credential. For example, you cannot attend a music panel if you have a Film or Interactive Badge. You must have a Music or Platinum Badge. Similarly, most events in the ACC are badge only, which means Music Wristbands are not permitted to enter. Read over the perks grid and become familiar with what can and cannot be accessed with your perk. Badges all have the same level of access to their appropriate conferences and festivals. For example, a Gold Badge does not have priority over a Film or Interactive Badge and a Platinum Badge does not have priority over a Music Badge. The Gold and Platinum Badges mean that you have access to more than one conference and festival.

Your volunteer commitment comes first. Leaving your volunteer shift to catch films, panels, shows, etc. is prohibited and may result in revocation of your perk. Make sure and clear all absences from your crew with your Crew Chiefs or Stage Manager in advance if you are scheduled to work and there is something you want to see. Sometimes it will be no problem at all, but during peak busy times they may need you to stay on shift.

Having a Plan and A Back-up Plan

There is so much to see or do at SXSW that you are never missing out on anything!

You didn’t get into that film you wanted to see on opening night. Wait a few days and catch the second screening, or sometimes third screening.

You couldn’t get into the big show at Stubb’s. Walk across the street and check out that unknown band that might just be the next big thing. Every year, we hear stories about the new bands that people just happened upon and they fall in love. Remember, there are over 85 venues to choose from. The same goes if you are under 18 or 21. Check out the many venues that do not have age restrictions.

Did you miss a panel you wanted to see? Check them out on our website during and after the event. If you couldn’t get in because the room was full, check to see if there is a live feed available in another location.

Have a plan of action or just go with the flow. Regardless of your strategy, you will have a great time!

Attending SXSW Official Parties and the 10% Party Policy

Parties are a big deal at SXSW and there are A LOT of them. Official parties are listed in the Directories and Pocket Guides. If it isn’t listed, it isn’t an official party and we have no control over it. Official party clients work with SXSW to ensure SXSW policies are being followed, especially in regard to access

Some parties may be invitation only. This restriction is at the discretion of the hosting client, and not SXSW. If you cannot get into a party for one reason or another, don’t sweat it. Walk another 10 feet and you’ll find yourself in front of another party.

The 10% party policy is in effect for all volunteer badges. 10% is roughly the ratio of volunteers to paying registrants. Due to instances in the past regarding an overtaking of parties by certain groups, we have to average out the different types of badge holders to help keep SXSW attendees and clients satisfied. For example, if the capacity of a venue is 500, 50 of those patrons can be volunteers.

With the large number of parties taking place over the course of SXSWeek, it’s not hard to find a party that you’ll just waltz right into. If there is a particular party you want to attend and there is a volunteer line, just give it a few minutes. More often than not, you will get in.

In appreciation for their hundreds of hours of volunteer work, Crew Managers (Crew Chiefs, Stage Managers, Theater Managers) are exempt from this policy.

SXXpress Eligibility

The SXXpress Pass allows paid badge holder to pick up a daily allotment of reserved seating tickets for films screening during the Film Conference and a designated number of "jump the line" tickets for specific venues during the nights of the Music Festival. Unfortunately, at this time volunteers are not eligible to use the SXXpress system as we continue to monitor and evaluate this new feature.

Crew Managers are exempt from this policy.

Registrant’s Lounge Restriction

The Registrant’s Lounge is a sponsored area. Our sponsors reserve the right to allow certain badge types into their areas. While most of our sponsors do not specify badges, some do. At this time, only paid badge holders may take advantage of the Registrant’s Lounge.

Again, there are so many events, lounges, parties and gatherings going on during SXSWeek that there are plenty of other areas to meet-up and socialize. Take advantage of all that is offered and available to you!