Senior Greater Manchester delegation to join forces with Northern cities & regions to showcase its capabilities.

Greater Manchester, which has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, has announced it will be sending a delegation to South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 to showcase the North of England on the international stage. 

The Greater Manchester delegation heading to Austin will comprise the city's leaders – including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Leader of Manchester City Council Cllr Bev Craig and Joe Manning, Managing Director of MIDAS Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency - along with several tech and creative businesses, to build on Manchester's established cultural and economic links with Texas. 

This follows successful trade missions that have already seen several Texas tech firms establish Manchester operations, including Austin-based Cloud Imperium Games which opened its UK headquarters in Manchester city centre.  

During the US trade mission, the Manchester delegation will meet with the likes of Cloud Imperium Games, Dell, AECOM and more.  

The collaboration aims to showcase the city-region's economic strengths and investment opportunities to a global audience, whilst also highlighting significant opportunities across the North of England as a whole.  

The Northern cities and regions, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Tees Valley, North East Combined Authority, and Liverpool City Region will occupy Palm Door on Sixth in Austin on Monday, 10 March 2025 from 12-6pm.  

Taking place at UK House, the event will be aligned with the 2025 theme ‘Seeing Things Differently’, which aims to reshape traditional perceptions of the UK by presenting an alternative Britannia, highlighting the exciting contemporary offering from business to culture. In response the Northern cities will lead with 'Different by design' highlighting the talents and opportunities of the region, across film & TV, gaming and music.  

Kicking off at noon the Northern activity will feature a true Texan BBQ, a nod to the host city while celebrating Northern hospitality with the networking lunch setting the stage for an afternoon of collaboration.  

From 2pm to 6pm, the space will come alive as the cities showcase the North's creative and technological talent. Visitors can journey through multiple interactive zones, each highlighting different facets of Northern excellence. 

The event will feature a pop-up 'mini-cini', highlighting the Northern filmmaking talent and why Hollywood giants like Netflix and Paramount are choosing Northern locations for their productions, from the cobbled streets that hosted Peaky Blinders to the dramatic landscapes that have provided backdrops for blockbusters.  

Meanwhile, the ‘Innovation Arcade’ will showcase the gaming sector with a chance to experience the latest in gaming from the North of England, as leading developers demonstrate cutting-edge technologies. 

The soundtrack to the afternoon will feature a 'Live Lounge' atmosphere, where emerging Northern artists will perform original works alongside reimagined covers of classic Northern tracks. A Northern playlist will be soundtracking the full afternoon between live performances. This specially curated music experience will be complemented by engaging panel discussions on sound innovation and the region's evolving music scene.  

Also joining the afternoon, will be Manchester hip-hop artist, OneDa, who was recently announced as the artist representing Greater Manchester on the global stage at SXSW, showcasing the region’s vibrant music scene and cultural influence. 

Plus, the afternoon will host a series of thought-provoking panel sessions featuring the region's most forward-thinking organisations including The University of Manchester, alongside uniquely Northern activities and networking opportunities. 

This joint presence at SXSW exemplifies how Northern cities are combining their assets and expertise to compete globally. The event will feature targeted networking opportunities, sector-specific roundtables, and practical sessions on establishing operations in the North of England, aimed at business leaders and potential investors. 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

"Our growing relationship with Texas, particularly in the technology and advanced manufacturing sector, has already created significant opportunities for both regions.  

“At SXSW, we're not just showcasing Greater Manchester's success - we're presenting the collective strength of a city-region that's rapidly becoming one of Europe's most exciting business destinations.  

“This delegation represents our largest and most ambitious presence at SXSW to date, reflecting the scale of opportunity we see in strengthening ties between Greater Manchester and Texas.” 

Leader of Manchester City Council Cllr Bev Craig said:

“It has been exciting to witness the new partnerships and opportunities that have developed following the mission to SXSW 2023, with several leading Texas tech firms choosing to make Manchester their home - reiterating our position as a leading global tech hub.  

“This year we're raising the bar again. Our programme illustrates why Manchester is one of Europe's most economically diverse and fastest-growing cities, with a particular focus on our dynamic digital, technology and creative sectors. The Manchester delegation itself showcases the innovative people and businesses that make our city such an appealing place to live, work and invest.” 

For more information on our activity in SXSW visit here.