Solutions with ICC Sydney
ICC SYDNEY CEO GEOFF DONAGHY EXPLAINS HOW HIS TEAM HAS WORKED WITH CLIENTS TO FIND FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy tells
CMW the entire Australian business events industry and its supply chain has been severely impacted by the pandemic with 230,000 jobs directly affected . “ We have worked with clients to postpone their events rather than cancel ,” he explains , “ by providing flexibility in an ever-changing operating environment .”
In terms of a return to conference business , Donaghy says it is encouraging to again be on a positive trajectory of no local virus transmission in New South Wales . Alhtough this had led to the easing of restrictions and a more optimistic outlook for the domestic market comeback in 2021 , Donaghy says , “ We are still experiencing frequent changes to state border openings and closures .”
The challenge of differing and changing Australian state border regulations is a common refrain from industry professionals . Donaghy adds his voice to those calling for a common , united approach .
“ While the roll out of a vaccine for in Australia is just commencing , we know the year requires continued resilience and a unified approach to the management of Covid-19 hotspots nationally so that business events can proceed with more certainty . This will make a considerable difference to the comeback of our national sector as a vital first step .”
On the international front , Australia currently has closed international borders and Donaghy says widespread Covid-19 vaccines are an essential hurdle to overcome to ultimately allow the restart of the international market . “ Without widespread vaccinations , people cannot move freely again to attend business events with confidence and the industry will not fully recover ,” he says .
How then is his team positioning to win back business ?
Donaghy underlines that ICC Sydney never actually closed , “ We are match-fit and ready to host events . We can ramp up our services and resources to hold more and larger events to a world-class standard ,” he says .
“ We have taken the opportunity to further cement our rigorous safety measures , as well as refresh and expand our products and services , which now include virtual and hybrid events , ICC Sydney Connect and an expansion to film and photography shoots ... We take great pride in collaborating with clients to translate the latest regulations into event plans , helping to make adjustments to bookings or floorplans , and taking into consideration the needs of in person and remote audiences ,” Donaghy adds .
The ICC Sydney CEO is lending his weight to a business-led recovery through his roles with the Business Events Council of Australia and Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry ’ s Tourism Restart Taskforce , alongside Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia and Meeting & Events Australia ( MEA ).
Construction in Cairns
The Cairns Convention Centre , having closed for construction in April 2020 for a AUD $ 176m refurbishment , is expecting to reopen at the end of March before hosting its first events in May 2021 . A new phase of construction will then continue with events scheduled for the subsequent venue extension in the second half of 2022 .
There are upgrades to the Auditorium , Arena and existing meeting rooms and there will be an additional 10,000sqm of meeting , banquet and exhibition space .
The CCC team has worked hard with clients to ensure events have been only postponed rather than cancelled .
Now preparations are for the centre to re-open with a detailed CovidSafe Plan that integrates best practices from operator ASM Global ’ s VenueShield programme of advanced hygienic safeguards , informed by public health authority and expert standards . There will also be plenty of space for live streaming . Seventy percent of CCC ’ s events are national and management believes the national market will lead the recovery .
International business on the books include the Symposium - International Council on Large Electric Systems 2023 ; International Congress on Vertebrate Morphology 2022 , and the Congress of International Plant Molecular Biology 2022 .
“ Once international borders do open , or travel bubbles open up , we hope the international market will open up quickly , but we understand there will be challenges ,” says CCC general manager Janet Hamilton .
A new expanded centre is , at least , a good fresh story with which to go back to market .
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