On Wednesday in downtown Austin, the hottest gadgets in town will be on display, and your SXSW badge can stay at home. The Emerging Tech Expo is opening its doors to the general public for a single day at the Fairmont Austin, packing the Manchester Ballroom with demo booths, prototype robots, and immersive XR experiences. It is a rare chance to get hands-on with new hardware and software before most of the industry even sees it.
When and where
According to SXSW, the Emerging Tech Expo will be free and open to the public on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public day is set for the Manchester Ballroom inside the Fairmont Austin in the downtown core.
What you'll see
Local coverage notes that the show pulls together startups and established brands, showing off everything from AI and robotics to immersive XR and interactive installations. As reported by CultureMap Austin, the public day is when many exhibitors open up demos that are reserved for badgeholders during the rest of the week.
How to get in and avoid lines
The public day is free, but some activations may still require an RSVP or give priority access to badgeholders, so it is worth planning ahead. ATXtoday and other local guides suggest arriving early, bringing a valid ID, and budgeting extra time if you are eyeing the most popular demos.
Can't make it? Other free options
There are plenty of no-badge events happening across town this week, from Flatstock at the Austin Convention Center to the Congress Avenue Block Party, many of which are free and open to anyone. For the full schedule and any last-minute changes, check the festival's official free-event listings at SXSW.
KVUE ran a short segment on the expo's public day with a quick look at the show floor and several exhibitor demos. If you are heading downtown, expect lines at the headline installations and bring some patience, since the public day squeezes a week's worth of tech highlights into a single stretch of hours.
