ICC Sydney announces big 2017 exhibition season

A TOTAL of 35 exhibitions are already on the calendar for International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney’s initial 2017 business events season.

Opening in December this year, ICC Sydney is a landmark $1.5 billion project within the $3.4 billion revitalisation of Darling Harbour and it has drawn worldwide attention from the business events industry for conventions, exhibitions and entertainment. 

“In addition to the 35 events (announced), we have a further 30 under negotiation,” ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said. “We couldn’t be happier with the strong response from the exhibition industry, its support for the project and the excitement building around ICC Sydney’s opening.

“Exhibitions are critical to the business mix of a global city.  When ICC Sydney opens Sydney will have an international business events venue to suit its status as Australia’s centre of business and innovation.”

Events have been secured with all of the major exhibition operators in Australia, including Reed Exhibitions, Diversified Communications Australia, Expertise Events, Australasian Gaming Expo and Boating Industry Association, which runs the iconic and much loved Sydney International Boat Show.

“The amount of interest and excitement about ICC Sydney is booming and we are thrilled to see the exhibition industry returning to its rightful home in Darling Harbour,” NSW Trade and Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres said. The NSW Government is funding the redevelopment of  Darling Harbour and ICC Sydney, which is being managed by AEG Ogden.

“A major contributor to the New South Wales economy, the exhibition industry attracts more than half a million people each year and generates about $100 million annually in economic benefit to the state of New South Wales,” Mr Ayres said. 

Boating Industry Association National CEO Howard Glenn said investment in the future of the exhibition industry through the delivery of ICC Sydney would help set his industry up for increased business success in the years ahead.

The Sydney International Boat Show, he said,  is one of those events that promotes Sydney as a fantastic place to do business on an international scale while driving business for both the industry and the state.

“With one in five boat sales for the year occurring either at the show or as a result of it, the opportunity to exhibit our product is critical to our industry’s success,” Mr Glenn said.

The boat show delivers $500 million of turnover either during the show or immediately after it and in 2015 delivered $27.6 million in economic impact for the state of New South Wales.

“We hope a reinvigorated precinct on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours will help us to improve upon that,” Mr Glenn said.

Having confirmed its flagship events for ICC Sydney, Stephen Steenson, the director of operations for Reed Exhibitions said the company couldn’t wait to return to Darling Harbour and the new first class facility being unveiled in December.

“The esteemed Reed Gift Fairs, OZ Comic Con and Beauty Expo are amongst Reed Exhibitions’ events gearing up for a huge 2017 at ICC Sydney,” Mr Steenson said. “The combination of first class events, an inner city destination and a fantastic new venue at ICC Sydney provides the best opportunity for our customers to realise their business outcomes.”

Diversified Communications Australia operations director, David Longman said his group was excited to confirm its high profile trade and consumer events for ICC Sydney in 2017, counting Fitness Sydney, Fine Food and FoodPro among them.

“We have an exceptional calendar of events scheduled for ICC Sydney and a host of new opportunities for businesses to connect with clients to exhibit, sell and innovate,” he said.

According to Mr Longman, Fine Food alone was expected to attract up to 20,000 visitors across four days and generate in excess of $50 million in economic benefit to the state of New South Wales.

The growing gaming industry is also keen on ICC Sydney as the integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment model will allow it to build a seminar and convention component to the event that has grown year on year to become the third largest in the world.

“As well as the diversity and flexibility of event spaces on offer at ICC Sydney, its proximity to the CBD and its access to transport and nearby accommodation is expected to greatly improve attendance at the 28th Australasian Gaming Expo at ICC Sydney in August 2017,” Gaming Technologies CEO Ross Ferrar said. “We can’t wait to bring our event to an innovative and contemporary venue in the heart of the city.”

Amongst the events confirmed today by Expertise Events were its Jewellery Fair as well as, a favourite event for regional New South Wales visitors, the Craft and Quilt Fair, which brings in 55 coach tours from regions including Coffs Harbour, Orange and the far South Coast of NSW.

Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz Roy said both he and his exhibitors were looking forward to returning to a rejuvenated precinct at Darling Harbour.

“From what I've seen of ICC Sydney, I know our exhibitors are going to love doing business there,” Mr Fitz Roy said. “The high calibre venue and supportive operations team are enhanced by a variety of options available for follow up meetings and business networking locations in and around the building.”

ICC Sydney is being delivered by the NSW Government and is operated by venue management group AEG Ogden.

www.iccsydney.com

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