SXSW

69 QUESTIONS? ANSWERS. Q: WHY DO VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO ATTEND MEETINGS? A: Volunteers will watch a video that will  provide general information about what  it's like to be a SXSW Volunteer and what  volunteers can expect while working on  their crews. In addition, there will be an  overview of the Austin Convention Center  (ACC) and other SXSW official venues.  Q: WHY DOES SXSW NOT PROVIDE PARKING FOR VOLUNTEERS? A: There is an upside and a downside to  living in a great city such as Austin. The  upside is that it's awesome. The downside  is that urban development, especially in the  immediate downtown area, has wiped out  a lot of the surface lots and other parking  areas that we were accustomed to using in  years past.  We are going to continue to work on a  solution, but until we can come up with an  affordable and reasonable plan, the best  solution is to utilize public transportation,  carpool, bike or arrive super early to find  those coveted parking spots. Be sure to  check out the Capital Metro schedules  during SXSW as they tend to extend their  service to accommodate the late hours of  the festivals. You can always pay in the lots  as well, but that is entirely up to you. SXSW  employees have to pay to park too.  Most  of us leave our cars at home and find other  ways downtown.  Many of the businesses  downtown including hotels, restaurants,  bars and parking companies count on  charging parking fees as part of their  money-making plans during SXSW. Few  would be willing to work out discounted  parking for such a large amount of people  when the potential loss of revenue is so  great. Q: WHY DO WE HAVE TO WEAR THE VOLUNTEER T-SHIRT? A: We ask volunteers to wear the volunteer  t-shirts while on shift, so that you are  easily identifiable to registrants, staff and  others looking for assistance. The volunteer  shirt says you are approachable and  knowledgeable, and that you can help them  regardless of if you know the answer or not. The volunteer t-shirts are sponsored. The  company logo that is listed on the back of  the shirt is actually the company that paid  for the production of the t-shirt. They spent  a lot of scratch to get close to 8,000 shirts  printed, so it's reasonable that they want  to see people wearing them. Also, PLEASE  do not modify these shirts in any way until  after the event (no cutting, enhancing or  changing in any other way from the original  design). On the flip side, you should NOT wear your  t-shirt when you are NOT on shift. This  also applies if you have access to the trade  show. You do not want to be hassled while  you are trying to have fun, nor do you want  to give an unfavorable image of volunteers  if you are seen partying in your shirt rather  than working.  Those around you will not  know that you are not on shift. At the very  least, turn your shirt inside out. One last note: The volunteer t-shirt alone  is not a credential. It does not give you  access and you must have the appropriate  credential for the area you are trying to  enter. Q: WHY AM I NOT ALLOWED TO EXCHANGE MY T-SHIRTS FOR A DIFFERENT SIZE? A: You will only be issued shirts in the size  that you request in your online registration.  The shirt size field in the volunteer database  will be locked when the t-shirt order is  placed in late February. Due to the large  order, we must have an accurate count of  each size with little room for error.

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