How to ensure inclusive excellence – 3 key tips

ICC Sydney is dedicated to fostering an atmosphere built on inclusivity. We believe creating a respectful environment goes far beyond physical amenities and relies on embedding inclusion into the heart of our culture. ICC Sydney’s culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in its Accessible and Inclusive Events Guide, where you can find these three key tips, and much more.

1. Ensure accessibility for all needs, both visible and/or hidden. With an estimated 20% of the population represented by people with a disability, ICC Sydney is committed to accessibility and inclusion for all. To better understand and improve the lived experiences of people with a disability (visible and/or hidden) when visiting the venue, ICC Sydney has partnered with leading disability advisory and advocacy groups including Get Skilled Access, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and Autism Spectrum Australia. Across ICC Sydney, physical amenities include:

• low gradient, step free access across all three interconnected venues: Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre and ICC Sydney Theatre
• quiet room available during live events
• accessible toilets (right hand and left hand)
• a fully fitted changing place
• wheelchair accessible parenting rooms
• prayer rooms
• induction loop and infrared hearing augmentation systems
• braille on room door signage
• fixed directional signage throughout
• accessible parking.

2. Honour First Nations People, culture, and community. As part of the commitments of our Legacy Program and Reconciliation Action Plan, the team at ICC Sydney is proud to honour the traditional custodians of Gadigal Land, in collaboration with our First Nations community partner, KARI. Every evening when the sun goes down, delegates at ICC Sydney will be able to see the digital screens outside displaying scenes depicting life pre-colonisation. The Gadigal Dreaming public work depicts First Nations people fishing at Cockle Bay, participating in ceremonies at Bennelong Point, and hunting emu on the Liverpool Plains. Upon entering the venue, delegates are welcomed with messages in the Gadigal language, with an Acknowledgement of Country offered to begin meetings and events. 3. Embrace diversity with pride. Underpinning ICC Sydney’s accessible events service excellence is the diverse representation across its team, which consists of 42 per cent female, 57.7 per cent male and 0.3 per cent gender-diverse members, led by 50 per cent female and 50 per cent male directors. Collectively, ICC Sydney’s multicultural team speaks 82 different languages ranging from Arabic to Yoruba, and the talented, diverse culinary team consistently creates bespoke meals to cater for all cultures, ranging from Halal food to Korean feasts. The venue proudly holds Silver status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, with the team undergoing extensive ‘pride in diversity’ training with the aim of elevating respect for the LGBTQIA+ community with every interaction at the venue. To view other areas of focus for ICC Sydney, read its Disability Inclusion Action Plan here. Choose ICC Sydney for inclusive events. For more information, please contact the team today, here. Main image credit: Tim Pascoe