ICC Sydney will boost Australia's innovation

Dr Tim Williams, CEO of The Committee for Sydney at The Committee for Sydney’s AGM and cocktail function at ICC Sydney, says ICC Sydney will provide a huge boost for Australia.  Sydney’s reputation as an innovation hub will get a major boost following the opening of International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) this December, with the integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct proving to be a mecca for prestigious national and international organisations across industries. More than 400 events have now been confirmed and an intensive schedule of ‘test events’ – designed to ensure the venue is operating to world class standards prior to opening – is underway. As part of this test program, prestigious organisations like the Committee for Sydney have already partnered with ICC Sydney to bring over 170 distinguished members and guests together in a venue built specifically to spark creativity and collaboration. According to Geoff Donaghy, CEO of ICC Sydney, events like Committee for Sydney’s Annual General Meeting will see the venue play a fundamental role in fostering the local knowledge economy. “ICC Sydney will deliver over AUS$5bn in economic benefit to New South Wales in the next 25 years, but it will do more than just deliver a cash injection to the economy. It will also become a place of intellectual combustion and innovation for organisations big and small. Indeed, with mega-events like OpenStack Summit and World Chambers Congress already confirmed, it’s clear that this new venue will cement Sydney’s magnetism as one of the most desirable business events destinations in the world. We cannot wait to officially open our doors next month.” The business events that ICC Sydney will attract will deliver a broad range of benefits for locals and businesses alike. The impact of business events should not be underestimated. Visiting delegates spend approximately more than six times that of their leisure tourism counterparts, benefiting a raft of industries – from hospitality and retail, to travel and tourism, everyone wins. As the centrepiece of the AU$3.4bn, 20-hectare transformation of Darling Harbour, ICC Sydney will also be a global talent hub, and bring inspiring people from across a wide range of industries to our city. These people and the events they are part of will help invigorate the city, enhance the local knowledge economy, drive investment and boost innovation. ICC Sydney sits at the centre of Sydney’s esteemed research, scientific and technology communities; the financial services district is to the venue’s North, the academic and startup hubs to the South, the media, technology and cultural institutions to the West, and the thriving CBD is to the East. ICC Sydney is one of Asia-Pacific’s most technologically advanced venues and is capable of hosting three major conventions simultaneously, each with their own dedicated plenary, meeting rooms and catering areas, plus a dedicated support team and integrated exhibition spaces. It is also home to 70 meeting rooms, three tiered theatres that range from 1,000 seats to 8,000 seats, Australia’s largest ballroom, a 5,000sqm open air Event Deck, and 35,000sqm of internal exhibition space. For more information, visit www.iccsydney.com and to join the conversation, visit Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.