Exceeding economic goals while deepening community impact

27 Aug 2019

BY GEOFF DONAGHY

CEO

I am delighted to share the results of ICC Sydney’s 2018/19 Annual Performance Review with you today which highlights that our business is continuing to exceed our economic goals while deepening our community impact.

Over the past year, the 1.4 million delegates and patrons who attended 671 core events at our venue generated A$896 million* in direct expenditure for New South Wales – an outstanding achievement.

Here, international and interstate visitors helped generate 73% (A$654 million) of the total expenditure, resulting in 1.77 million overnight stays, making a real difference for the people of Sydney and New South Wales.

It’s been a year of many highlights, including representing Sydney with BESydney and Tourism Australia at international trade shows and in-market events, and leading a roadshow throughout Asia to foster and build new relationships. As a result, we’re pleased to reveal that we have secured a further 1,520 leading major national and international events across sectors to 2030.

We also hosted our now annual Professional Conference Organiser roundtable and launched More Than a Venue, a new multi-channel marketing campaign that demonstrates, through the power of storytelling, the value of booking events at our premium venue in our premier city.

Meeting our key financial and economic obligations provides us with the opportunity and privilege to give back to the community in which we operate – an important part of our role as a major government infrastructure project.

Through our Legacy Program that introduces clients to authentic Sydney experiences, we provided opportunities for a diverse array of emerging talent, particularly across First Nations, creative industries, start up and university communities.

Just some of the highlights on this front from across the financial year include becoming the first convention centre nationally to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan, creating opportunities for artists from the Talent Development Program, Bankstown Poetry Slam and the Kari Foundation to perform at ICC Sydney, and donating tens of thousands of meals to community members in need.

Activities such as this not only enhance delegate and patron experiences at ICC Sydney, they allow clients to leave an impact in the city long after their event concludes.

I trust you agree that none of these results and initiatives would be possible if it wasn’t for the efforts of our team of caring, passionate professionals who ensure that visitors and clients alike experience More Than a Venue when they come to ICC Sydney. Their daily dedication has resulted in an extraordinary 99% delegate satisfaction rating (by EY Sweeney) and our client satisfaction rating increased from 97% to 99% over the 12 month period.

It is a privilege to lead such a committed and talented team who are the best in the business. I’m tremendously proud of what has been achieved in the last 12 months as we now move towards 2020.

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