Bill Gates to deliver closing keynote address at 2013 SXSWedu Conference

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SXSWedu Conference today announced that Bill Gates will deliver the closing keynote address at the 2013 SXSWedu Conference.

Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will address the foundation's U.S. education work, which focuses primarily on ensuring all students are prepared for success in college and career. The keynote will take place 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013 in Ballroom D of the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.

"Bill Gates' name is already synonymous with technology innovation and philanthropy and, driven by the work of the Gates Foundation, education is clearly a personal priority," said Ron Reed, executive producer of SXSWedu. "Gates' background as a global business executive and leading philanthropist gives him a unique vantage point into education, one we know will be eagerly received by SXSWedu attendees."

Education has been a core pillar of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since its inception. Gates has been a vocal champion of using innovative technologies to widen access to quality education across K-12 and higher education.