President Obama And The FLOTUS To Speak At SXSW For The First Time Ever

3 March 2016 | 8:55 am | Staff Writer

"I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th birthday than to welcome both the President and First Lady to SXSW."

For the first time in South By South West (SXSW)'s three decade history, the sitting President and First Lady have been confirmed to deliver keynote addresses at the music, arts and creative conference, held in Austin, Texas every year.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will take to SXSW this March, with President Obama appearing on SXSW Interactive's Keynote Conversation on Friday, 11 March, while Michelle Obama will deliver the opening address at SXSW Music on Wednesday, 16 March.

SXSW's co-founder Roland Swenson says, "I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th birthday than to welcome both the President and First Lady to SXSW.

"As each new generation comes up at SXSW they look for ways they can be of service, and it’s important to reflect and support that message. President and Mrs. Obama’s visit here will inspire attendees to that purpose."

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The amazing appearances will see the President talking civic engagement in the 21st Century with The Texas Tribune's editor in chief Evan Smith, while the First Lady will talk about the Let Girls Learn initiative to mark Women's History Month.

No word on whether they'll make a detour to check out the spectacle of the annual Aussie BBQ but, honestly, it's their loss if they don't.