SEC@GI
Passing the baton
Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island has closed its doors, marking the end of a chapter in Sydney’s
ongoing role as home to many of Australia’s exhibitions and shows.
Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island
(SEC@GI) closed its doors on September 30
after three years of operations. The interim
home of Sydney’s major trade and consumer
shows, SEC@GI was charged with ensuring
Sydney’s shows continued to thrive while
the International Convention Centre Sydney
(ICC Sydney) was being constructed.
A pavilion-style, fully serviced exhibition
space of 20,000sqm was purpose-built on
Glebe Island in 2014, transforming the last
industrial site on the harbour into the city’s
exhibitions hub.
“Our mandate was to ensure Sydney’s shows
continued to thrive throughout the three-year
build of ICC Sydney, and maintain Sydney’s
position as Australia’s events hub,” said
general manager of SEC@GI Malu Barrios,
who has since headed over to ICC Sydney as
director of event services.
“There were many complex challenges along
the way, but we quickly built the capability
and confidence that indeed ‘we can do’. To
finish with success is a pleasure.”
registrations, visitors and deals made on
the floor.
From 2014-2016, SEC@GI’s value-added
contribution, including supported activities
and employment, was a significant input
to the $100 million in economic benefit
generated annually by the exhibition industry
for the NSW economy: $18 million in revenue
was brought about for local businesses that
supplied goods and services to the venue.
“Part of our legacy is giving new meaning
to the value of venue and client team
collaboration. Strategic initiatives and
preparedness to adapt to change delivered
successful events,” said Barrios.
“Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island was
critical to keeping Sydney open for business
during the construction of ICC Sydney,” said
Joyce DiMascio, chief executive of Exhibition
& Event Association of Australasia.
Glebe Island delivered a fresh Sydney event
experience to 535,000 visitors. Many chose to
come via ferry to enjoy a hidden patch of the
harbour with nearly 400,000 ferry round trips
reported. Basking in the abundant natural
light that the venue became known for,
major shows thrived with unprecedented
28 Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 7, 2016 www.cimmagazine.com
A seamless transition has been set for
Sydney’s trade and consumer shows as they
return to their permanent home in Darling
Harbour, with all events held at Glebe Island
moving across to the new venue. Honed in
multi-faceted venue operations, the SEC@GI
team will bring a wealth of knowledge and
experience to their roles in ICC Sydney.
“We’d like to thank our clients, suppliers,
our industry and government partners, and
AEG Ogden for being part of our journey. We
couldn’t have done it without their support,
business, and friendship,” said Barrios.