The North of England, comprising Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, North East Combined Authority, Tees Valley, and West Yorkshire, will unite to demonstrate the North’s economic and creative power.
North of England, have announced they will send a collaborative delegation to South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025, showcasing the strengths of the North.
The Northern delegation will include representatives from across the region’s key cities and businesses, building on the North’s cultural and economic links with Texas.
The collaboration aims to present the North’s economic potential and investment opportunities on a global stage, highlighting the significant opportunities across the region.
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.
This collaborative approach reflects the strong partnerships between the neighbouring regions, which regularly work together to amplify their collective impact.
Kicking off at noon the Northern activity will feature 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. This specially curated music experience will be complemented by engaging panel discussions on sound innovation and the region’s evolving music scene.
Plus, the afternoon will host a series of thought-provoking panel sessions featuring the region’s most forward-thinking organisations, alongside uniquely Northern activities and networking.
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.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“The North East and Northern regions are a hotbed of creativity and we are known across the world for nurturing generations of global acts and talent. In the North East alone, Sunderland is only the second UK city to join the international Music Cities Network, while Newcastle and Gateshead have confirmed plans to gain UNESCO City of Music Status.
“That’s why as mayors we are proud to showcase the talent of the Great North on the global stage, to unleash the potential of the next generation, attract investment in our music industry and unlock opportunity for the talent we know we have in abundance.”