Then and Now: It's Still the Music

Dear Mr. Black,
    Twenty-five years ago, I was a rookie sales manager at the Hyatt on Town Lake. Someone approached me about a festival he was putting together at the Armadillo World Headquarters that would bring in musicians from all over and would need a block of rooms to house them. There was no history on the event, but he assured me that this event was going to evolve and we (the hotel) would benefit years down the road if we just had faith and could work with him on this. I pleaded your case to my director of sales, and we came up with a small room block and a price.
    Over the years, my career with Hyatt took me away from Texas, but I continued to follow your success because of my infatuation with the music business. Last year I booked a hotel in Austin to come down with my daughter during her spring break to look for a place to live, so I could move back to Austin. The hotel rates escalated toward the end of the week, and I told her it must be South by Southwest. It was so amazing to be in town with my 21-year-old daughter and sharing with her the energy that was created by the series of SXSW events.
    This year, I am back living here and have been following your story. I’m older and don’t choose to attend the events now. What I want to say is congratulations for having a vision and for following through with your goals regardless of the doubters and naysayers. I can see what your event has done for the hospitality industry and the music and film business here, but more than anything, I wish I could describe the energy I felt just driving my car down Eighth Street last weekend with the windows down! I felt an overwhelming joy for you and your team and all the people who come to Austin to experience this extreme concentration of talent and music lovers.
    Many organizations and events get financial assistance from cities and convention centers. That’s part of the competitive nature of the business. Just tell all those who complain that there are plenty of cities that would gladly pay to bring your event to their bottom line! If people don’t get it, have them contact Nashville and ask why NAMM moved their annual event to Austin and how much Nashville would love to have them back!