SYDNEY AND COFFS HARBOUR AWARDED WORLD FESTIVAL AND EVENTS CITIES

Rally Australia

NSW has once again been recognised as the home of major events with Sydney and Coffs Harbour both bestowed the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) 2018 World Festival and Event City Award.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said, “This is the ninth time Sydney has won this accolade and is the only global destination to have received this Award annually since its inception.

“Vivid Sydney is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown, with the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas this year attracting more than 2.2 million people and a record $172.9 million in visitor expenditure, completely reinvigorating the Harbour City’s traditionally quiet Winter trading period,” she said.

Coffs Harbour also received the Award for the fourth year in a row. The region has hosted some of the biggest sporting events in Australia over the past year, including Rally Australia, the Australian Ladies Classic and Women’s NSW Golf Open, the FFA National Youth Championships and two one-day internationals as part of the Women’s Ashes series.

In addition to Sydney and Coffs Harbour being named the IFEA World Festival and Event Cities, NSW scooped the pool with Vivid Sydney being announced the IFEA 2018 Grand Pinnacle Award winner along with 14 Gold Awards, five Silver Awards and one Bronze for major event marketing activities.

A full list of NSW’s wins at the 2018 IFEA Awards is available here.