What do Bumble, the Australian Ambassador to the United States, the CIA and a restrauteur have in common? They were all among a diverse group of speakers on the program for the 2016 International Sydney Speaker Series in the United States (US), which included participation at the renowned Washington IDEAS Forum.
Promoting the advantages of meeting in Australia’s global city, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) and Business Events Sydney (BESydney) hosted some 30 clients at a VIP reception at the Australian Embassy in Washington on 27 September.
Guests were then invited to attend the Washington Ideas Forum, 28-29 September, which attracts some of America’s most intriguing leaders in policy, business, technology and culture. Keynote speakers for 2016 included David Chang, celebrity chef and Founder of the Momofuku Group; Whitney Wolfe, CEO and Founder of Bumble; and John Brennan, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency.
This year’s US Sydney Speaker Series aligned with the Forum as part of Sydney’s dedicated client offering aimed at helping associations meet the challenges in the rapidly changing global environment. The International Sydney Speaker Series was launched last year with keynote speakers Frans Johansson, innovation expert, and Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations.
“Wi-Fi, Google Maps, the world’s first quantum bit and 3D-printed jet engine, and the manufacturing of human flesh and bone on a 3D printer are just a taste of the globally significant innovations that have emerged in recent decades from Australia or have been made by Australians living abroad,” said the Hon. Joe Hockey, Ambassador of Australia to the US, speaking to leading association CEOs and influencer guests at the Sydney Speaker Series event. “These global innovations have all stemmed from successful research and development initiatives generated through partnerships – collaboration between our education institutions, industry, private sector and government bodies.