ICC Sydney CEO and industry legend Geoff Donaghy bids farewell

After an extraordinary 30-year career at ASM Global, Geoff Donaghy steps down from his full time role as CEO of ICC Sydney and group director – convention centres, ASM Global (APAC) this month, leaving behind quite a legacy. The team at ICC Sydney and ASM Global, business leaders, influencers and community organisations from across Sydney and New South Wales, as well as the business events industry globally, have been honouring Geoff this month through events and recorded tributes. ICC Sydney’s team has also honoured their CEO’s legacy by creating the ‘Geoff Donaghy Leadership Award’ category in the internal Extraordinaires Awards programme. Geoff started his career as a school teacher who then moved to the tourism sector through airline and then hotel industry roles, before being appointed general manager of the Tourism Tropical North Queensland (tourism and convention) bureau in 1989, during the region’s time of high visitation growth. He joined today’s ASM Global in 1994 to open the Cairns Convention Centre and champion the benefits of business events for the region. In June 2003, he moved to Brisbane to lead the opening of Suncorp Stadum as CEO. Geoff curated the team that would eventually open International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in December 2016, now one of the world’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment centres. Over his long and illustrious career, Geoff Donaghy forged his path with determination, a huge work ethic and a commitment to make a difference – earning a reputation as one of the most respected leaders in the global business events industry. From the highs of opening the venue and hosting some of the world’s most prestigious events to the lows of Covid-19, Geoff’s leadership and his commitment to clear communication and guidance has remained constant. Under his stewardship, ICC Sydney’s team delivered over 3,665 events that attracted 6.4 million visitors who contributed A$3.9bn in economic benefit to the local economy to date. During his time at the helm of ICC Sydney, he and his team have received 95 industry awards, achieved an average delegate satisfaction rating of 97.4%. Geoff Donaghy’s team secured and operated events that have delivered almost A$4bn in economic impact for the state, and he recently stated: “Beyond the significant impact driven by ICC Sydney’s role as economic infrastructure, I look back on my time at ICC Sydney and beyond as part of the ASM Global network with pride – working to inspire our team to live up to our mission to make a difference – for one another, our clients, community and the planet.” ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability Inclusion Action Plan, reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, among other leading campaigns such as its Feeding your Performance philosophy and client Legacy Programme. Tributes to Geoff Donaghy on his illustrious career included the following: Harvey Lister AM, chairman and chief executive, ASM Global (APAC): “On behalf of ASM Global, we thank Geoff for his outstanding dedication to the company and our people during his more than 30 years of service. Under his steady direction, Geoff led the team that would eventually open International Convention Centre Sydney in December 2016, which is now arguably one of the world’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment centres.” Anita Mitchell, chief executive at Placemaking New South Wales: “We thank Geoff for his 10-year tenure leading Australia’s premier entertainment, convention and exhibition venue. ICC Sydney is the centrepiece of the $3.4 billion revitalisation of Darling Harbour and underpins Sydney’s reputation as a world class destination offering industry leading event, entertainment and cultural experiences.” Lyn Lewis Smith, CEO, BESydney: “Bringing his decades of rich experience opening major venues around the world to Sydney 10 years ago, Geoff’s contribution to the establishment of International Convention Centre Sydney has shaped Sydney into an elite global city capable of hosting the world’s most influential meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Through Geoff’s leadership, ICC Sydney’s incredibly talented venue team is best placed to welcome the world’s best thinkers, policy-makers, industry and business leaders and drive the innovations and solutions of our future.  We are ever-grateful for the years of successful collaboration and partnership with Geoff as together we have built a formidable platform to showcase Sydney on the global stage.” Paul Nicolaou, executive director, Business Sydney: “Geoff Donaghy’s career contribution stands out as a beacon of leadership, innovation and industry collaboration. He is a Sydney ambassador in every sense of the word, and our Business Sydney team was honoured to present him with the inaugural ‘Sydney Champion’ award, in recognition of his great contribution to Sydney as the premier global city in the Asia Pacific region.” Peter King, chair, Australian Business Events Association: “Over the many years I have known Geoff, he has consistently stood out to me as a beacon of leadership, innovation and industry collaboration. He has been instrumental in elevating the organised events industry on a local, regional, and global level – in particular, his steady leadership demonstrated during the recent Covid-19 pandemic impacted years has been critical in the business events sector’s recovery and rebound. Geoff’s reputation is world renowned not only for the successful establishment and operation of major venues but moreover as he is the ultimate professional who exhibits great empathy, integrity and a steadfast commitment to ‘making a difference’ to the community. I thank him for the legacy he created and importantly his friendship.”