Leaders of global night-time economy cities share insights at NEON Sydney

A full two program with 'night mayors' from London, New York, Paris, Montreal and Vienna during NEON Sydney 2023 has seen the sharing of key insights about night-time economy experiences.

Being held in Sydney on 2nd and 3rd May, the NEON International Night-Time Economy Forum (NEON Sydney) has put Sydney’s after-dark recovery in the spotlight, affirming the city’s progressive approach.

Commenting on her experience, London’s ‘Night Czar’, Amy Lame stated “Sydney and NSW is in a really interesting position at the moment - you have the world's first Minister for the Night-time Economy and Music.

“You have the political will. You're incredibly well funded. It's really impressive.”

“Sydney's on a growth trajectory, and it's got real opportunity now to plan for its life at night and an opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive. And it's an incredibly exciting time for this great city.”

Ariel Palitz, founding Director of the NYC Office of Nightlife (New York’s ‘Night Mayor’ from 2018 to 2023) reflected that “(the night-time economy) is part of a global movement. What surprises me is just how rapidly it's growing, how large the interest is. The message is getting through - night-life is not just luxury where people go out to have a good time but a necessity in so many ways for our economy, for our culture and our identity.”

Michael Rodrigues, NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner noted that with Sydney’s night-time economy worth over $27 billion, “NEON Sydney was an amazing opportunity to learn from my peers and generate a great healthy discussion with policymakers and industry here locally in Sydney.

“What is clear is that whether it’s New York, London, Paris, Montreal, Vienna or Sydney, our similarities are greater than our differences. Sharing our ideas, collaborating and listening, there are so many insights that our Office is keen to explore as we refresh our own strategy in the coming months.”

In the opening address for NEON Sydney, NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham advised “we'll expand the remit of the office to six cities, bringing in major nightlife centres like Newcastle and the Central Coast and we will deliver $103 million to contemporary music over four years with an explicit goal of doubling the number of music venues.

“We will make the office a statutory appointment giving it certainty and clarity in the centre of Government.”

NEON Sydney has coincided with NSW Premier Chris Minns advising that he is looking to lift a longstanding restriction that prevents Sydney's Allianz Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground to hosting just four concerts per year.

The announcement was made as Sydney hosts the NEON International Night-Time Economy Forum (NEON Sydney) which has put Sydney’s after-dark recovery in the spotlight.

Image: Speakers address the NEON International Night-Time Economy Forum (NEON Sydney).