ICC Sydney spotlights its offerings to enhance in person events

International Convention Centre Sydney has spotlighted the new products, expanded services and experienced team that contribute towards delivering better world class events in 2022 and beyond during the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2022 in Melbourne today.

ICC Sydney Chief Executive, Geoff Donaghy notes “ICC Sydney played a key role in navigating the industry through the crisis that had disrupted business events over the past two years, while also evolving its own offering to build back better today. This includes the introduction of new products, enhanced services and strengthening its team’s capabilities to deliver exceptional in person events.”

Face to face amplified
Responding to increased demand for in person connections, event organisers can now integrate more face to face networking moments within their events at ICC Sydney, while continuing to put attendees' health and safety first. ICC Sydney’s ‘Connect Outdoors’ meeting options delivered in partnership with Divine Events, invites organisers to extend their networking opportunities and take advantage of the venue’s outdoor spaces with uninterrupted views across Darling Harbour and the Sydney CBD skyline.

In person experiences have been enhanced at the venue with the update of its Self-Guided Art Tours used to locate its comprehensive Australian art collection, including artwork ‘Gadigal, Acknowledgement Respect’ showcased in the venue's Reconciliation Action Plan, created by First Nations contemporary artist, Jeffrey Samuels—one of the founding members of the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. New partnerships and broadened experiences have been added to the venue's Legacy Program offering event organisers even more avenues to reach their corporate social responsibility objectives through their events.

Hybrid is not a dirty word
ICC Sydney evolved its industry leading hybrid event services further today, with the launch of a new speaker preparation and digital event solutions hub. Services offered within ‘Connect Hub’ span speaker preparation supporting complex program delivery of both onsite presenters and specialised support via ICC Sydney’s newly expanded Digital Concierge for online speakers. Connect Hub also features the venue’s permanent, dedicated media studio for broadcast events, video edit suite, digital signage management and digital event platform design and delivery. Managed by ICC Sydney’s audio visual experts, the venue’s customisable digital event platform, ICC Sydney Connect, provides an end to end solution for managing hybrid events.

Experienced team
At the heart of this evolved offering is ICC Sydney’s experienced team. While guiding clients through the pandemic, the team also upskilled ready to help people get back to meeting face to face. Today, they deliver unrivalled experiences and exceptional events, understanding the needs of event organisers and attendees in a different world.

Donaghy adds “the desire to meet in person remains and it’s terrific to be able to support our clients in their return as Australia reaffirms itself as a top destination for events.

“Remaining open through the pandemic enabled us to delivery 600 events for our clients and their audiences over the past two years.

“Since the last of the New South Wales health restrictions were lifted on 24th February 2022, ICC Sydney is set for its strongest month since May 2021 this March 2022 with 54 events for our clients and 54,000 event attendees.

“We have 300 events on the books through to June and a further 300 scheduled for the second half of the year, which we fully expect will continue to grow.

“In reflection of the challenges we’ve already experienced, I couldn’t be prouder of the role that ICC Sydney’s team has played in our recovery progress. During the last two years we have continued to deliver world class events while also using this time to innovate our services and educate our team. Today, we have advanced this further, with the introduction of Connect Hub - our one stop destination for speakers preparation and digital event solutions, proving that we continue to evolve with our clients’ needs.”

However, Donaghy did warn against complacency, adding “while we don’t yet know the exact curves of the road that lay ahead, we do know we are moving along its recovery. So, it is critical that our industry, tourism bodies and the Government continue to work together to restore national and international confidence in Australia as a safe and world class destination for events. This will not only benefit those within our industries, but also the wider economy, jobs, businesses and academic, cultural and local communities who benefit from our success.”

Prior to COVID-19, the sector generated $36 billion annually for the national economy, and ICC Sydney generated AUD$900 million annually, delivering flow-on benefits to local businesses, tourism, hospitality and the many workers who are reliant on the success of the industry.

To find out more about ICC Sydney, visit iccsydney.com.au/

Image: ICC Sydney's Connect Hub.