Association Event Network December 2019 | Page 9

Cover Feature “Many events nowadays talk about legacy, but what they really mean is putting a beehive on the roof of a venue, then moving on.” There is a strong focus in Sydney on using meetings as a tool to help build communities. The ICC is a AUD$1.5bn (£808m) piece of infrastructure in the Australian capital, and Donaghy says this brings with it certain social responsibilities: “We are delivering beyond our economic and financial obligations, and with these achievements social responsibility (CSR) representative comes great opportunity to further partners with clients to identify problems contribute to our incredible city. and match solutions to social and sustainable issues, unique to each event. “Since our Legacy Programme launched “By engaging clients with our Legacy Programme, we are opening up the opportunity to deepen our impact on the ICC Sydney Theatre, photo by Anna Kucera in 2017, we have successfully delivered local community, and provide a lasting a number of tangible outcomes for legacy that can be felt long after clients events can often work against them. the Sydney community. One example and delegates have returned home.” Getting the right people involved, and spreading information beyond the is from the Australian Clean Energy Summit held in July this year, where local Creating positive change halls of a conference venue, requires communication. It requires the academic university students were asked to address a conference topic featured as part of Association events are often gatherings of and association worlds to work in close the summit’s programme. A selection some of the brightest minds in any given collaboration, and to tell their stories in a of the submissions were chosen to be field. With the collective brain power of way that is easy to digest. displayed in the event’s key networking everyone at an association conference, areas, giving students an opportunity the potential to create a positive the examples being set in Copenhagen and to present their ideas to delegates and change in the world at large, or in local Sydney, their association events can have immerse themselves amongst industry communities, is huge. a lasting legacy — one that goes beyond professionals.” But the specialised nature of these If venues and destinations can follow simply putting a beehive on the roof. ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy at Reconciliation Plan Smoking Ceremony www.aenetwork.co.uk 9