SXSW quickly evolves from small , community - driven events into a huge industry happening . From 2009 to 2010 , it 's attendance jumped from nearly 11,000 to just under 15,000 . In 2007 , a tiny service nobody had heard of , had used the fest as a launching ground . SXSWi also has expanded its Dewey Winburne Community Service Award to include national and international winners , instead of just local recipients . As the festival grows , it tries very hard to be both sprawling and intimate .
SXSW quickly evolves from small , community - driven events into a huge industry happening . From 2009 to 2010 , it 's attendance jumped from nearly 11,000 to just under 15,000 . In 2007 , a tiny service nobody had heard of , had used the fest as a launching ground . As the festival grows , it tries very hard to be both sprawling and intimate .