Australia
ICC insights
ICC SYDNEY CEO GEOFF DONAGHY
REFLECTS ON THE YEAR JUST PASSED
2019 marked a year of exciting progress
at ICC Sydney. Our team delivered
extraordinary service across the board
for all 700 events hosted within our
venue, which attracted 1.4m visitors.
Underpinning this has been a
commitment by the passionate
professionals within our business to
consistently raise the bar, and to work
collaboratively with clients through
every stage of the event process.
As a result, we’ve enhanced the
sophistication of our approach to client
and delegate experiences. And in turn,
we’ve created lasting advocates for ICC
Sydney and a satisfaction rating beyond
compare.
So, what are my top take-outs, where
do I think we’ve found room to grow
and what are our guiding lights for
2020? Here are my key three:
1. Evolving the UX of events
From the client side, 2019 was shaped
by the increasingly important role of
technology at all stages of the execution
process, including building in bespoke
technological requirements within
forums at a higher level than ever
before.
From custom communication tools
used pre-event to feature our venue
information, to interactive apps,
e-badges and smart kiosks used to
streamline the registration process for
attendees, we have seen a continued
evolution and enhancement of the UX
of events.
In-house, our Culinary Services team
has also enhanced event experiences by
tailoring our signature dining options.
This has seen the addition of interactive
food trucks as well as pop-up bars,
alongside the delivery of continuous
food and beverage services throughout
conferences.
2. Championing choice
In 2019, we saw a shift within the
broader community, who are desiring
more plant-based options and low or
non-alcoholic beverages. Embracing the
changing needs and tastes of our clients,
our new 2020 Menu Collection has been
curated to include an extended range of
plant-based options, native ingredients
and superfoods, alongside the iconic and
most loved ICC Sydney dishes featured
in our menus since day one.
3. Inspiring impact
Effectively supporting the delivery of
impactful end-to-end experiences and
giving back to our community has
always been a big focus for us. Over the
last 12 months, our team has delivered
amazing results here, while also driving
an exciting evolution of our industry
leading Legacy Program, fuelled by
demand from clients to meet ambitious
CSR objectives. For example, in the past
year, with support from our clients,
we’ve donated over 7,000 kilograms of
items to eight community groups from
events hosted at the venue.
We also launched our Edible
Centrepieces initiative – an innovative,
AACB detects swing towards incentives
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux
(AACB) has reported a 4% increase in international
business events secured for Australia (to 336) when
comparing the 12 months to 30 June 2019 against the
previous year.
The AACB brings together Australia’s 17 leading city
and regional convention bureaux and its members
represent more than 1,800 businesses and organisations
across the tourism and events spectrum.
The national association’s statistics also point to a swing
to corporate events, mostly incentives, a category that took
up 67% of the international bid wins for 2018/19. These
wins also forecast an increase in delegate numbers of 7%,
to more than 220,000, with total delegate days holding
steady at just under one million.
The primary reason for this achievement and growth
continues to be the positive perception of Australia as a
place to host successful events and do business (33%),
although the continuing bush fires will no doubt be a stiff
test for marketers.
Australia remains high on the ‘bucket list’ of many as a
destination offering unique and authentic experiences.
community-focused service which
allows both clients and our venue to
deliver on sustainability goals and
increase support for the Matthew
Talbot Hostel, run by the St Vincent De
Paul Society New South Wales.
With over 22,000 meals donated in
the past year, we’ve not only increased
our support for our regional suppliers,
but also offered clients the chance to
reduce event waste.
And based on feedback, we’re now
providing clients with even more
options to incorporate CSR initiatives at
their event, with a particular focus on
waste reduction, repurposing and
recycling, as seen in our refreshed
Sustainable Events Guide.
It’s been a privilege to see the
headway made in 2019, and taking
inspiration from the lessons learned, I’m
looking forward to driving more
innovation and impact with my team,
our clients and community. Here’s to
2020!
Below: ICC,
continuing to
drive innovation in
Sydney
ISSUE 104
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CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD
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37