The International Convention Centre Sydney, Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue, is now approved to host 1,500 delegates at conferences and corporate events.
In a critical step forward, the venue has received an exemption to hold corporate events and conferences for up to 1,500 people in its Convention and Exhibition Centres, following approval from the New South Wales Department of Health.
Corporate events, including conferences, meetings, AGMs, awards and banquets, will be subject to one person per four square metres and allocated to groups no larger than 300 people in separate areas within ICC Sydney.
The exemption is an acknowledgement of the thorough, best practice health and safety standards in place at ICC Sydney and follows the recent announcements that ICC Sydney can host uncapped exhibitions at one person per four square metres and welcome 2,400 patrons to its Aware Super Theatre.
ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy says the increased capacity limit for corporate events is a vital next step in recovering from the coronavirus crisis for ICC Sydney and the business events sector.
“We are pleased to receive an exemption from the NSW Department of Health, which is testament to ICC Sydney’s ability to safely resume running larger events,” says Donaghy. “Our industry has been hard hit since March. This exemption will significantly improve ICC Sydney’s ability to attract corporate events, which is essential for the wider recovery of Australia’s business event’s sector—worth over $36 billion annually to our economy.”
Following the exemption, preparations are now underway to welcome back larger conferences. The first of these events to be staged at ICC Sydney will be the 43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly, in hybrid format. In conjunction with a Space STEM Park, the Assembly will attract up to 1,500 local participants. A bespoke virtual platform will stream to an audience that is anticipated to exceed 3,000 attendees.
Prof. Russell Boyce, chair of the Assembly, says, “This Assembly will showcase the very best of Sydney and we welcome the news that we can host 1,500 in-person delegates now that ICC Sydney has received this exemption.”
The news comes as the border between Victoria and New South Wales opens, allowing greater movement of people between the two states for domestic event attendance.
Coupled with this, the exemption is expected to boost the NSW economy, with direct and indirect delegate expenditure from events held at ICC Sydney set to support local businesses and regions alike.
In more than three years of operations, cumulatively, ICC Sydney has generated more than A$2 billion in delegate expenditure for the state economy and hosted 3.5 million visitors, who have created 4 million overnight stays in Sydney.
Donaghy adds, “We are committed to maximizing the flow on benefits for businesses up and down our supply chain as events progressively return. We will do this through our direct relationships and via our Legacy Program, which is world-leading and incredibly well received by the community in Sydney and surrounding regions.”
Sydney Business Chamber Executive Director Katherine O’Regan says this was a win for the business events sector and all of the related organizations that rely on its success. “The events held at ICC Sydney perform a critical role in the ecosystem of our city’s economic success,” she says. “Success for ICC Sydney is also success for the many professions that hone their skills through conferences, the companies that exhibit their products and services and the breadth of businesses that form the supply chain for the venue and its clients—from our farmers and winemakers to designers and event builders.”
Business Council of Australia CEO Dr. Vanessa Findlay says this was momentous news for Australia’s business events industry. “ICC Sydney is a powerhouse of the national business events sector, which collectively contributes $36 billion to the national economy,” Findlay says. “The decision to allow gatherings of 1,500 people for corporate events at ICC Sydney, is testament to the confidence that the team has been able to build with its government partners.”
All events held at ICC Sydney will continue to be delivered in line with the venue’s EventSafe Operating Guide which integrates parent group ASM Global’s rigorous Venue Shield program, while meeting NSW Government regulations.
To ensure the safe running of events in an environment transformed by the coronavirus pandemic, ICC Sydney has made operational changes including:
• Limit of 1,500 people in groups of 300
• Separate entrances and exits for each group of 300 people
• Check-in and service NSW contact tracing information collection
• Regular cleaning of high-traffic and high-touch areas with hospital-grade disinfectant
• Hand sanitizer stations in all paths of travel, frequently accessed areas and near bathroom facilities
• COVID-19 safety training for all operational, frontline and contract staff, as well as on-site COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshals.
ICC Sydney is Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue. The showcase international venue underpins Sydney’s place as one of the world’s most desirable meeting and major events destinations. ICC Sydney is the epicenter of a 20-hectare transformation of Darling Harbour by the NSW government to highlight Sydney as the first choice in Australia and the Asia Pacific region for the major events industry. A NSW overnment project, ICC Sydney was delivered in partnership with Darling Harbour Live, comprising Lendlease, Hostplus, Aware Super, Capella Capital, ASM Global and Spotless FM. Hassell + Populous were joint venture design consultants for ICC Sydney. For more info, visit www.iccsydney.com.
ASM Global is one of the world’s leading venue management and services companies. The company was formed by the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences.
From its Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, ASM Global operates a network of venues that includes convention & exhibition centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Christchurch (opening 2020), Kuala Lumpur, Muscat and Shenzhen (opening in 2020); Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong (opening 2023) and interests in major stadia in Sydney, Parramatta and Perth; and entertainment arenas and performance theatres in Brisbane (4), Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney (4), Bangkok (Em Live Theatre and Bangkok Arena both opening in 2023), Dubai, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem-solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world delivers locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners, and operations, and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more info, visit asmglobal.com.
