SYDNEY RANKS NUMBER ONE FOR CONVENTIONS

New Convention Centre

Sydney has ranked number one in Australia, 7th in Asia Pacific and 25th in the world for international conventions and conferences by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Chief Executive Officer Lyn Lewis-Smith welcomed the outstanding results given Sydney was currently without an operating international convention centre.

"During construction of International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) many high profile events have been held in venues ranging from Western Sydney through to the Central Business District (CBD). Large scale events included the 105th Rotary International Convention and the IUCN World Parks Congress,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.

The ICC Sydney, part of a $3.4 billion transformation of Darling Harbour, will open in December 2016, increasing Sydney’s capacity to hold large international events which boost the economy.

“Looking ahead, BESydney has secured more than 20 events for ICC Sydney and close to 100 additional events across the State,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.

“These international events will deliver $227 million in direct economic expenditure which is new money that will support thousands of jobs across the State.”