Sydney ’ s solid event pipeline with strong social impact
ydney ’ s CVB , BESydney has reported 14 bid wins in two months as it ended 2022 on a high . These final months of 2022 delivered an estimated direct expenditure ( DE ) of AUD $ 40m . These events solidify the Sydney business event pipeline through to 2029 with 85 global and national events , generating an estimated $ 483m in direct expenditure . In comparison to 2019 , one of the bestever years , 2022 has seen the bureau secure 81 international meetings , generating an estimated $ 250m and bringing in 57,000 delegates .
In terms of events held , 2022 has seen 33 events with an estimated DE of $ 88m . That compares with the delivery of 87 events in 2019 worth $ 216m .
While some of the business events won remain confidential , they all align with the State ’ s global sector strengths and include :
• International Mining and Resources Conference ( IMARC ), which will return to Sydney in 2023 . The conference is expected to attract 6,000 delegates from 110 countries over three days and is anticipated to be worth $ 17m to the local economy .
• IEEE International Future Energy Electronics Conference 2023 ( IEEE IFEEC ), attracting 300 delegates over four days , BESydney estimates will generate DE of $ 1.1m .
• The IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality ( ISMAR ) comes to Sydney in 2023 and organisers expect to attract 400 delegates over five days and generate an estimated $ 1.9m in DE for the local economy .
• The International Council of the
Aeronautical Sciences ( ICAS ) 2026 will be holding its Congress at the ICC Sydney . The event is set to attract 700 delegates over four days , generating an estimated $ 2.5m to the local economy .
• The ICC Sydney will host the Australian Physiotherapy Association ’ s ( APA ) national conference ‘ Physiotherapy ’ in 2027 . It is expected to attract 1,800 delegates over three days , generating an estimated DE of $ 5 . m .
BESydney CEO , Lyn Lewis-Smith said : “ We are so thrilled to be finishing 2022 on a high . We are continuing to focus our efforts to contribute to the growth of our State ’ s sector strengths . Tapping into our city ’ s DNA will continue to be our focus next year .” Tourism Australia managing director , Phillipa Harrison said : “ It is great to see a strong pipeline of international business events . Many of these have been secured with the support of Tourism Australia ’ s Business Events Bid Fund Programme , including ICAS 2026 .”
BESydney tells CMW 2022 began tentatively with Australia ’ s
Sydney international border not opening to international visitation until March . However international events had resumed by May and , by the end of 2022 , events had returned in earnest attracting delegates from across the globe . BESydney and its supplier network managed to retain more than 50 % of the pandemic-impacted events previously scheduled for 2020 and 2021 .
The bureau says the slowest markets to return are APAC : Japan and South Korea are showing signs of recovery , but China is still not open for travel . BESydney reports an uptick from SE Asia – particularly India now that there are direct airline services to Sydney thanks to the NSW Government ’ s Aviation Attraction Fund .
Major events coming in the year ahead include : World Pride ’ s Human Rights and Health Conference 2023 ( May 2023 ) and Destination NSW ’ s Vivid Sydney Light Music and Ideas Festival and South By South West ( SXSW ) Australia .