Sydney secures another sought-after event for ICC Sydney in 2017

Nineteen events worth a combined $150 million have now been secured for International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) following the news that Sydney has been selected as the host city for the International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF) World Chambers Congress in 2017.

This will be the first time the conference, which is worth $3.3 million to the New South Wales (NSW) economy and will bring about 1,000 delegates to Sydney, has been hosted by an Australian city.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith joined the NSW Business Chamber in Tokyo last month for its formal bid presentation to the Executive Council, which was the final stage of a two-year process to secure the event.

Ms Lewis-Smith said, “It was a pleasure to work alongside the committed and hard-working teams at the NSW and Sydney business chambers on this fantastic win. I have every confidence that the ICC WCF World Chambers Congress in Sydney in 2017 will be one of the best ever.

“Sydney is where business connects. It’s a global metropolis that is attracting thought leaders, prominent business professionals and respected academics. And as the global economy shifts its sights to the Asia-Pacific region, Sydney is ideally placed to host the business leaders of the future.

“NSW is the third-largest economy in the Asia Pacific and is home to the regional headquarters of 60 per cent of the region’s businesses, providing the perfect gateway to trade opportunities with the region and the world.”

Announced over the weekend in Paris, the conference will be held in the new ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour and joins a growing list of prestigious global events that BESydney has secured for the new facilities.

Ms Smith added, “While Sydney’s knowledge and intellectual appeal shine brightly, decision makers continue to be sold on ICC Sydney as evidenced by the growing list of events that are choosing to hold their events in Sydney in 2017 and beyond.”

“It will be a stunning, modern and technically-advanced centre in the very heart of a dynamic city. ICC Sydney has been designed to impress, but more importantly deliver the ultimate event experience. And, with a plethora of new infrastructure developments soon to be completed and many more on the horizon, 2017 is the opportune time to welcome international delegates to Australia’s global city.”

ICC Sydney will be operated by global venue manager AEG Ogden. AEG Ogden Group Director of Convention Centres and CEO of ICC Sydney Geoff Donaghy said he was honoured to again be hosting an ICC WCF World Chambers Congress.

“Having successfully hosted the ICC WCF World Chambers Congress in Kuala Lumpur in 2009 and in Qatar in 2013, we look forward to offering a Sydney experience to congress delegates with the service and hospitality expected of an AEG Ogden venue,” Mr Donaghy said.