Austin
It’s the capital of the Lone Star State of Texas, of course, but did you know it's also the Live Music Capital of the World? Not only is Austin the host of the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival but it’s also the music industry’s yearly choice for its South by Southwest conference. And we’re not just talking music: Austin is an incubator for innovative business as well. 75% of its population is under 45 years of age and 47% are people of color—and they utilize WiFi in larger numbers per capita than anywhere in North America.
There’s more:
- Moody’s Economy.com calls Austin “the best place for business in the U.S.”
- Austin ranked second on Money magazine’s Top 25 Best Big Cities to Live in 2006
- Fast Company dubbed it one of its “fast cities” of 2007
- Dell Computers, Whole Foods, and a host of new-media and entertainment organizations have chosen to call it home
Gateway to the Texas Hill Country, Austin is famous for its lush landscape, which is readily enjoyed under abundantly blue skies—with more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The State Capitol building is a bustling, architectural marvel; the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is a must-see stop for tourists who visit from all over the world; and the campus of the University of Texas, among the top 10 public universities in the country, is home to a young and vibrant group of students, a highly regarded faculty, and a diverse community of involved and well-informed citizens.
No need to look far for art and culture in Austin. The Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art puts on consistent display the many outstanding collections maintained by the University of Texas; the breadth and diversity of the Austin Museum of Art is evident within its two locations inside the city limits; and scores of smaller museums (including the celebrated Mexic-Arte Museum) and numerous other independent galleries all over town feature the work of local as well as national and international artists.
And come hungry. Austin is the spring home to the annual Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. And while the city may be most well known for its authentic Tex-Mex and Barbecue, outstanding sushi and Italian specialties can be enjoyed nearly everywhere. Four-star haute cuisine is also within reach—and whatever else your little Texas heart and taste buds may desire.
So that’s our backdrop for this year’s OD Network Conference 2008: A lively, sophisticated city steeped in the unique history and culture of old Texas, yet one of the nation’s most diverse and future-oriented cities as well. It’s where history meets high-tech—just the right spot for the OD network’s collective mix of savvy and innovation.
To learn more about everything that Austin has to offer, explore these sites:
www.austintexas.org
www.austincityguide.com
www.austin360.com
In addition to Austin's diverse and lively atmosphere , Austin is the gateway to the lovely Texas Hill Country.Stay a few extra days, and you'll find that natural beauty, quaint historical Western towns and unique food and wine await you! Go to www.hill-country-visitor.com, www.texashillcountry.com, or www.texhillcntry.com to plan your trip.