While we all continue to be heavily impacted by Covid-19, ICC Sydney is running successful events for clients and supporting our broader ecosystem where we can. We are gradually transitioning to the next phase of our recovery, and as we do so, we remain committed to providing you – our clients – with regular updates.
Yesterday, we released our Annual Performance Review for the 2019/20 financial operating year. The review tells the story of a year in two parts. Until March 2020, ICC Sydney was on track for another outstanding year. We were set to meet our economic obligations to the State, deepen our community impact and grow Sydney’s world class reputation for innovation, knowledge and capability.
While the pandemic and subsequent restrictions shut down events quickly and severely impacted ICC Sydney’s people, operations and the many businesses and individuals who rely upon our success, it is only right that we also acknowledge success. Our people are to be congratulated and it remains more important than ever that we reinforce the significant impact our industry makes across our city and state.
Despite four months of lost activity, delegates attending events at ICC Sydney in 2019/20 generated A$510 million in direct expenditure for the state. Our events further led to 981,445 overnight stays in Sydney and contributed to the creation of 2,806 local jobs.
Meanwhile, our commitment to delivering social, environmental and economic benefits to our local community – which is both an opportunity and a privilege – remained unwavering. Highlights included winning Best Major Venue at the MEA Awards and the UFI Global Exhibition Industry Sustainable Development 2020 Award, being named the KARI Foundation Partner of The Year for 2019 and increasing our commitment to 100% NSW wine.
On top of this, our world leading Legacy Program delivers enormous benefits and opportunities to Sydney’s creative industries, First Nations businesses, startup and student communities. We also continue to build Sydney’s reputation as a smart, world class city.
As I write this, ICC Sydney continues to operate under extremely challenging circumstances as we advocate for increased capacity numbers and border openings while still operating to Covid-Safe standards.