ASIA by AUSTIN
Once a year, Asia comes to Austin.
Asia by Austin is GAACC's annual summit, and in 2026 it ran at the Long Center for the Performing Arts at the peak of the SXSW schedule. It brings Asian trade offices, consuls general, founders, and investors into one room with Central Texas civic and business leaders. Where delegations take Greater Austin to Asia, Asia by Austin brings Asia here.
THE OTHER DIRECTION
The two-way highway, in one room.
GAACC has used the phrase two-way highway for years to describe what it builds between Asia and Central Texas. Delegations are the outbound lane. Asia by Austin is the inbound one, and it is the largest act of hosting the Chamber performs each year.
For partner organizations it is the one day when relationships the program develops abroad become people you can meet without leaving the city. No flights, no time zones, no visas.
2026
The third annual summit, and the first inside SXSW.
The 2026 summit ran on March 17 at the Long Center, positioned at the peak of the SXSW schedule under the theme Intersection of Global Innovation and Central Texas Opportunity. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson opened the day with his vision for an International Austin, joined by consuls general and regional economic development leaders. Trade representatives from Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong briefed attendees directly on entering their markets. Technology @ Asia by Austin, powered by Plug and Play, covered the semiconductor build-out, autonomous robotics, and applied AI.
Attendance grew 54 percent over 2025 even as the summit moved from free admission to paid tickets. Two thirds of registrants signed up for four or more sessions, against a quarter the year before.
Attendees rated content quality 4.7 out of 5 and the summit returned a net promoter score of 50. Every survey respondent said the day delivered valuable networking opportunities.
THE PROGRAM
Seven sessions, one afternoon and evening.
The summit runs a single afternoon and evening, deliberately, so it fits inside a SXSW schedule rather than competing with it. Sessions open together and then split into parallel tracks.
- Why Asia by Austin.
- The Central Texas Connection. Opening session with the Mayor, consuls general, and regional leaders.
- Development.
- The Heart of the Texas Triangle. Regional growth, with a close look at Williamson County as an industry and infrastructure center.
- Markets.
- The Trade and Investment Connection. Direct briefings from Asian trade offices.
- Technology.
- Robots, Chips & Rockets. Semiconductors, autonomous systems, applied AI, and aerospace.
- Startups.
- Born Global Summit and Awards. Founders pitching to Austin investors.
- Creators.
- Get Noticed! The cultural and creative economy across borders.
- After Dark.
- The closing evening.
AFTER DARK
Cinema, Soul & Sound.
The summit closes with After Dark, a pan-Asian cultural evening on the Long Center mezzanine with the Austin skyline behind it. Past editions have paired South Asian film curators Indie Meme with live DJs, cross-continental performers, and brand activations.
Convening culture alongside commerce is not a flourish on the program, it is the point, and registrants ranked the evening the most anticipated part of the 2026 summit.
WHAT'S NEXT
Asia by Austin returns in March 2027.
The fourth annual summit returns in March 2027. Venue, programming, and registration details will follow. Sponsorship opportunities will be available soon.
Sponsors of the 2026 summit reported a median of eleven high-intent connections each, up three on the previous year. Speaking and session participation ranked as the next most valuable element after networking. If your organization wants a speaking role or a presence on the floor in March, the conversation starts now.
NEXT STEP
Be in the room.
Access Asia partners get priority access to the summit and to the delegations and trade representatives it convenes. Tell us what your organization is looking for and we will show you how to use the day.