76th International Astronautical Congress
29 September – 3 October 2025
KEY STATISTICS
- 7,500+ delegates from 99 countries, including 40+ heads of international space agencies
- 60+ NSW businesses exhibiting
- 19,500+ registrations for IAC’s Space Day – Powered by LEGO®
- Over 135,000sqm of event space utilised
- 450+ companies, institutions and governments from all over the world showcased their solutions across 19,000sqm in the Exhibition Centre
- Estimated A$47 million into the local economy
- 200 technical sessions
- More than 40 international space agencies represented, including NASA
- Activated every LED sign across the Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre, ICC Sydney Theatre and immersive LED Activation Zone
- 2,500+ presentations managed by ICC Sydney’s AV experts in the Speaker Preparation Centre
OVERVIEW
Forging the future of innovation, technology, and space, ICC Sydney’s team proudly hosted the prestigious 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) across its world class venue. In a competitive bid driven by ICC Sydney’s destination marketing partner BESydney and the venue’s in-house Business Development team, Sydney was selected as the global epicentre for the space community, welcoming over 7,400 delegates from 99 countries, infusing ICC Sydney with energy, excitement, and a shared spirit of discovery.
From inception to completion, ICC Sydney was significantly involved in the bidding process among global stakeholders and led the bespoke delivery of this event. Backed by highly skilled professionals and delivering premium preparation and support of over 2,500 presentations, IAC was one of the largest and most rewarding events held within the venue, furthering the future of Australia and New South Wales (NSW)’s innovative space industry on a global stage.
“ICC Sydney’s team of passionate and experience event management professionals delivered on every front. Equally impressive was the security overlay, which was executed with precision and care. ICC Sydney worked hand in glove with NSW Police and precinct authorities and our own teams to manage public demonstrations respectfully and effectively, ensuring the safety of all attendees while upholding the values of openness and inclusion that define the IAC. Alongside the ICC Sydney team’s suite of business development, event management, security and marketing services, the AV team’s exceptional technical expertise cannot be understated, it was the most expansive technical delivery in the history of the event. The AV team’s Speaker Preparation support in delivering upwards of 2,500 sessions across our complex scientific program and the integration of our event creative across ICC Sydney’s digital infrastructure was extremely technically impressive. Importantly, it reinforced our themes of innovation and inclusion, including our commitment to learning from Indigenous Peoples on the deployment and use of space technologies.”
– Lisa Vitaris MBA GAICD CompIE Aust EngExec Director, IAC 2025 Sydney, Space Industry Association of Australia
“Welcoming IAC to ICC Sydney was an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate the full breadth and scale of our venue’s capabilities. Following a successful bid led by BESydney, ICC Sydney, the Space Industry Association of Australia, the Australian Space Agency, and Investment NSW, the event transformed more than 35,000 square metres across our Exhibition and Convention Centres into a truly bespoke experience. From custom audio visual integrations across every LED screen in the precinct, to seamless operational delivery for over 450 exhibitors and thousands of presentations, this collaboration reflects ICC Sydney’s unwavering commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering events that inspire the next generation.”
– Adam Mather-Brown, Chief Executive Officer, ICC Sydney
Strategic Bid Collaboration and Industry Support
Initial engagement with IAC organisers began in 2021, with a formal request for proposal released in March 2022. BESydney led the bid in close collaboration with ICC Sydney, the Space Industry Association of Australia, the Australian Space Agency, and Investment NSW, which remained a key stakeholder throughout.
Submitted in April 2022, the bid showcased Sydney’s strengths, from accessibility and inclusion initiatives to a prime location near the CBD and iconic harbour, and a booming space sector. A site inspection, hosted by BESydney and ICC Sydney, brought together federal and state agencies, reinforcing a united front in support of the event. ICC Sydney’s operational teams worked directly with organisers, mapping out a comprehensive delivery plan that demonstrated end-to-end support.
Sydney’s selection as host city was the result of this combined effort, and a testament to the rapid growth of Australia’s space industry since last hosting in 2017, now home to over 500 active space-related organisations.
Bespoke Event Delivery
The event took over ICC Sydney’s Exhibition and Convention Centres, including the Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Theatres encompassing a total footprint of 35,000sqm. ICC Sydney developed a custom audio visual package, activating every LED screen across the venue and precinct, including the screens at Tumbalong Park. The event hosted over 450 exhibitors and more than 2,500 presentations, supported by ICC Sydney’s expert speaker preparation centre. ICC Sydney’s in-houseaudio visual team supported the 700 presentations per day and helped maintain brand alignment over 800 pieces of content.
Highlights included a Mission Operations Centre truck accommodated within the Exhibition Centre as well as a live message transmission to the moon, supported by the Powerhouse Museum. A standout gala dinner in the Grand Ballroom celebrated Sydney’s identity through catering and live performance acts. Additionally, the public day gave attendees the opportunity to enter the Exhibition Centre, which exceeded expectations. The day featured astronaut meet-and-greets, interactive displays such as Benny the LEGO Man as well as dedicated theatre sessions. The Department of Education hosted STEM activities for children under 12 in the level 3 foyer during Open Day, while UNSW’s “Rover and Rockets” display on level 2 invited children and young adults to discuss student projects with university representatives, successfully engaging and inspiring the next generation of space professionals.
Operational Excellence, Sustainability and Security
ICC Sydney worked closely with the appointed Professional Conference Organiser MCI Australia and international stand builders to manage waste responsibly, including skip bin logistics and the return of exhibition materials where needed. The venue’s delivery team worked in lockstep with government and security agencies to support VIP arrivals, including ministers, NASA representatives, and the arrival of a rare lunar sample. High-level guests were escorted through the venue by ICC Sydney’s security team, ensuring safety and access across all event zones. ICC Sydney’s integrated security protocols, risk management frameworks, and emergency response plans were rigorously tested. Media engagement and onsite management was supported by the venue’s expert Communications and Audio Visual Services teams, including live television crosses.
