ICC Sydney CEO and group director – convention centres, ASM Global (APAC), Geoff Donaghy retired from those roles on 1 September. He was also a key figure for many years in our industry associations, both in Australia and globally with AIPC. He gave CMW one final valedictory interview before he stepped down:
How did you come into the industry and what sparked your interest in business events?
What sparked my interest in business events and the roles venues played in that is the career I had in Cairns, North Queensland. They were very successful there, with a new international airport, but when I looked at successful cities around the world, they didn’t just have a tourism industry, but a broad-based visitor industry and invariably that involved business events. To be seriously in that business you needed an international convention centre.
That is what Cairns needed and we started a ‘loving’ relationship with the government. We asked for a purpose-built convention centre to be included in the casino licence application [being made at the time]. That was genesis of Cairns Convention Centre.
We understood that with just three serious convention destinations in Australia, even if we spread the national business round it would be pretty thinly spread, so we needed to aggressively pursue international business for Cairns. The destination did have international awareness because of the Great Barrier Reef and an international airport, and that was the genesis of the success of the CCC and my involvement in the industry.
What highlights of your long career would you pick out in particular?
I could go through any number of highlights; exhibitions, conferences and concerts, but it all comes to the people and the teams and what they’ve achieved and delivered. And what we have delivered for economic infrastructure and impact across the city and the state, as well as for our primary producers – such as the wine industry – is significant.
We took on opportunities also as a piece of social infrastructure. The team produced the first Reconciliation Action Plan for Native people, taking on board our strong diversity beliefs and disability action plan, too. Making such a difference in so many areas is the great highlight at ICC Sydney.
What of the changes over the year in the business and market?
The changes have been profound. The most obvious ones have been in technology in its broadest sense. The exponential growth in tech has been incredible and it has been important to keep up with that.
Then there are the expectations of younger people. They are no longer passively accepting of presentations and lectures. Events need for be very interactive.
Other issues to the fore now include how do we measure success and how do we get consistency of economic impact? Some do it from the centre, some from the convention bureau. It is important to understand the benefits we help generate go beyond tourism and we are appreciating the impact in the knowledge economy more now. Innovation and the embracing of the knowledge economy could be the greatest change in the industry’s thinking.
What has been your approach and philosophy and how do you think you will be remembered in the industry?
I guess that is for others to say really – I’ve tried to keep things pretty simple and focused. It’s been about doing what’s needed. Clarity of purpose and doing what’s right.
It starts with people, so I’ve tried to make a difference in everyone whose lives we touch. Attendees, supply chains and our own team as well. I think that’s been achieved and I will take away with me great memories.
Our recruitment philosophy was based on CV plus chemistry. We tried to get in people who are going to be contributing members of a team.
Read more about Geoff Donaghy’s career and tributes to his work here https://www.www.c-mw.net/icc-sydney-ceo-and-industry-legend-geoff-donaghy-bids-farewell/
