Following from its Asia Pacific launch in February, the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) will visit cities across Asia in the coming weeks to meet with business event decision makers ahead of its December 2016 opening. The ICC Sydney team will be participating in Business Events Australia’s North East Asia Showcase in Shanghai (April 19-21) and the South East Asia Roadshow in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore (May 3-7 ). ICC Sydney chief executive officer and AEG Ogden group director of convention centres, Geoff […]
Posts Tagged: Sydney
EVENT: Staging Rentals make opera epic
The giant head of an ancient Egyptian queen looms large in Sydney harbour, the centrepiece for this year’s Handa Opera on the harbour production of Aida. The 18-metre-high bust of Nefertiti was brought to life by event construction company, Staging Rentals & Construction Services. Designed by Mark Thompson, the team at Staging Rentals built the opera’s epic set piece over three months in the company’s Alexandria warehouse. As the centrepiece in Aida, a love story set in ancient Egypt, Nefertiti stands 18-metres tall, is roughly eight-metres wide, weighs over 15 […]
EVENT: CeBIT Australia set to disrupt
This year’s CeBIT Australia will take place at Sydney Olympic Park on May 5-7, and is set to shake up the technology conversation with conference themes focusing on disruption, digital business transformation, and business technologies. The tech event will feature a stellar line-up of international and local keynote speakers from the spheres of industry, government and technology. Harvey Stockbridge, managing director of Hannover Fairs Australia, said he is impressed by this year’s program. “Taking up its rightful place again this year in setting the agenda […]
NEWS: Adina Sydney Airport Hotel opens
The newly-built Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Airport is set to open its doors late-March 2015. Less than one kilometre from Sydney Airport, the new hotel features 123 serviced apartments across six storeys consisting of 51 studios, 66 one bedroom and 6 two bedroom units. The hotel’s airport shuttle and close proximity to Mascot train station ensures that guests can avoid traffic and get around Sydney with ease. Rachel Argaman, CEO of TFE Hotels, said: “Sydney Airport is an ideal location for transit and business travellers, with […]
NEWS: CeMAT comes to Australia
CeMAT, the world’s leading intralogistics, materials handling and warehousing exhibition, is coming to Australia for the first time this year, set to take place at Sydney Olympic Park from May 5-7. The three-day event will feature international exhibitors and renowned industry leaders, live product demonstrations, product launches and on-stand events. The show will also include case studies and highlight industry trends during its dedicated conference, panel sessions and workshops. Hannover Fairs managing director, Harvey Stockbridge, said he is keen for the Australian market to be exposed to international trends at CeMAT AUSTRALIA, […]
NEWS: Fine Food returns to Sydney
Australia’s largest annual food industry trade expo, Fine Food Australia, will return to Sydney in 2015, after celebrating its 30th anniversary in Melbourne last year. Set to take place at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from September 20, the four-day event promises the best of the food service industry with a line-up of new features and interactive sessions. Event director, Minnie Constan, says: “We can’t wait to get to Sydney to showcase the evolution of Fine Food Australia. We have some great new stage presentations, […]
NEWS: $6 million boost for Sydney events
NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant has pledged an additional $6 million in funding to assist Business Events Sydney secure more business events for the harbour city and the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). The announcement comes off the back of last month’s NSW Government commitment to provide an additional $123.35 million, a 25 per cent boost, to the sector. Mr Grant said the boost was part of the NSW Government’s election commitment to secure the state’s reputation as the home of Australia’s major events. “BESydney has been […]
NEWS: Funding boost for NSW events
The NSW Government has announced a 25 per cent increase in its tourism budget over the next four years to make Sydney the number one destination for major events. Just over $73 million will be spent on major events including $22 million to secure more events in western Sydney. Tourism Accommodation Australia acting CEO, Carol Giuseppi, said: “It has taken a long time for governments to understand the substantial impact that events, conferences and exhibitions can deliver to the economy.” “The impact of the recent Asian Football […]
NEWS: Luxperience team expands
The team behind luxury travel tradeshow, Luxperience, recently announced two new appointments help the show reach new limits in 2015. David Paterson joins the team as the senior sales and sponsorships manager, while Rachelle Del Rosario will take on the business development manager role. Mr Paterson recently moved to Sydney from London, where he gained over 10 years of experience in the exhibition and event industry including four years project managing the ILTM portfolio. Mr Paterson will be responsible for securing the ideal exhibitors from across the globe, with a […]
NEWS: PARKROYAL Parramatta expands
Pan Pacific Hotels Group today announced plans for a multi-million dollar extension of PARKROYAL Parramatta in Sydney. Costing $25 million, the development will commence in March and make PARKROYAL Parramatta the largest hotel in Parramatta – boasting 286 guestrooms – by June 2016. The 15-month project will involve the construction of a new seven-storey tower with a club lounge, as well as 40 club rooms and 50 premium rooms that offer views of the Parramatta skyline and incorporate the use of the latest technology and […]
ICC Sydney: bigger is better
Serious business requires a serious venue, and many of today’s dedicated convention centres certainly fit the bill for meetings and events of all shapes and sizes. Come December 2016, the eyes of the world’s meeting fraternity will hopefully be focused on Sydney and Darling Harbour and its brand spanking new convention and exhibition facility. It will be an exciting time for Sydney and Australia with the completion of the multi-million dollar venue that promises to bring for the city a resurgence of international conference business […]
VENUE UPDATE: Sydney’s hotel hotspots
Sydney’s accommodation sector is experiencing a multi-million dollar revitalisation following a recent spate of openings, refurbishments and announced hotel developments. Here’s the latest: In the leafy suburb of Double Bay, the hotly anticipated InterContinental Sydney Double Bay opened its doors November 2014 after a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the former Ritz Carlton property, while in the same month the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney also completed a $12 million refurbishment. Not long after, The Langham Sydney (pictured) reopened in The Rocks in December following a $30 million refurbishment. The hotel […]
NEWS: Christmas events in chaos with Martin Place siege
The biggest week for corporate Christmas parties is in chaos today following the terrorist siege in Martin Place, with many buildings in the CBD in lockdown and the Opera House closed. The Dockside Group’s Christine Drivas reports no cancellations at this stage but plenty of calls from concerned parents relating to a school formal this evening. Nicole Friedler from Captain Cook Cruises says there have also been no cancellations, however, they have a large corporate event tonight with a nervous client considering a cancellation. Steve […]
NEWS: Pullman Sydney airport hotel to open in 2016
Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, today announced it has signed a management agreement with Goodman to brand and operate a five-star Pullman Sydney Airport hotel as part of a new AUD$100 million development project that will encompass extensive office and retail facilities. Due to open in May 2016, the 229-room property will include a restaurant and bar, and conference facilities, and will be the first internationally branded five-star hotel in the international airport precinct. Accor Pacific chief operating officer, Simon McGrath, said the project will be a key development for Sydney. “The […]
NEWS: Sydney Olympic Stadium redevelopment
Fourteen years on from hosting the Sydney Olympics, ANZ Stadium management today released detailed plans to redevelop the stadium as a cutting-edge sports and entertainment precinct. ANZ Stadium announced that global construction and engineering company Laing O’Rourke has been selected to carry out a proposed $350 million redevelopment of the stadium, in line with the NSW Government’s Stadia Strategy and the Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan Vision released by the NSW Government in July 2013. More than 21 million fans have passed through the ANZ Stadium […]
NEWS: STUDIO Sydney Tower launches
Sydney’s highest event space and bar atop Sydney Tower was launched last night by the Trippas White Group, following a million dollar refurbishment and competition to name the new loft-style space. Sydney Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. Clover Moore, unveiled the venue’s new name, STUDIO, and the winner of the “What’s My Name” competition. Rebecca Hamerton (pictured below) received a VIP cocktail party at the venue to the value of $2000 for submitting the winning entry. The re-vamped space, formerly Sky Venue, accommodates all styles of […]
NEWS: Pei Modern comes to Sydney
Mark Best will open Pei Modern in Sydney at the Four Seasons Hotel on October 15. The internationally recognised modern bistro first opened in Melbourne in 2012 to critical acclaim, winning The Age Best New Restaurant Award for 2013. Pei Modern is founded on the principles of bistronomie, which demand a commitment to locally sourced, quality seasonal produce and wines that speak of their place and style. Best said he is incredibly excited to now open Pei Modern in his hometown. “Pei Modern Sydney will respond to the local […]
NEWS: Boat Show sails get carried away
Fine weather, the lure of a free ferry ride on the harbour and new location proved a winning formula for this year’s Sydney International Boat Show, with one eager buyer even walking his new boat out of Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island’s front door. After visiting the show over the weekend, Howard Piggott, immediate past commodore of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, arrived back at the venue on Monday (August 4) to take delivery of his new Walker Bay 275R with Walker Bay 8 […]
NEWS: ICC Sydney team expands
The management team at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) continues to grow with the appointment this week of Samantha Taranto (pictured) to the position of communications director. A senior communications and public relations professional, Ms Taranto’s 14 years of experience spans communications consulting and in-house corporate affairs with companies including AMP Capital, The GPT Group and Weber Shandwick. Chief executive officer of ICC Sydney and AEG Ogden Group conventions director, Geoff Donaghy said Ms Taranto’s appointment would continue to build the growing momentum and interest in ICC Sydney. […]
NEWS: iVvy launches real-time booking system
Event management software provider iVvy, this week launched the world’s first real-time booking platform for the hospitality and MICE industries at the HotelsWorld Conference in Sydney. The new cloud-based software will enable event organisers to connect with venues real-time to search, compare, and book online, and has the ability to connect multiple properties and give live reporting across all venues. Live bookings are connected to back-end automation processes – allowing properties to drive and manage events more synergistically and with a shorter turnaround time. Mantra Group will be one of the first to roll out the […]
VENUE UPDATE: Bistro Mint
Paris comes to Sydney in the latest dining space to open in the CBD, Bistro Mint. Located on the first floor of Sydney’s historic Mint building, the bistro offers a modern take on French cuisine for breakfast and lunch. At the official opening of Bistro Mint this week, heritage minister Rob Stokes said the new space presented an engaging way for locals and visitors to experience Sydney’s heritage. “The opening of Bistro Mint in Sydney’s oldest public building is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and protect the […]
NEWS: Sydney to host world’s largest financial conference
Sydney is set to host the world’s largest and most influential financial conference, Sibos, in 2018, as announced today by NSW premier, Mike Baird. Hosting Sibos will bring 6000 delegates to Sydney and is worth an estimated $50 million to the NSW economy. “Sydney is home to Australia’s finance sector and we’re delighted to be hosting the world’s financial heavyweights in 2018,” Mr Baird said. “Visitors to Sydney for Sibos 2018 will meet in the new $1.1 billion world-class convention facilities at Darling Harbour and be able […]
VENUE UPDATE: What’s in a name?
Trippas White Group has launched a competition to name its iconic event space and bar at the top of the Westfield Sydney Tower to coincide with a million dollar refurbishment to be completed late August. The revamped space, formally Sky Venue, will accommodate all styles of events for up to 200 people, including conferences, cocktail functions, formal dinners, team-building activities, weddings, celebrations, ticketed events and bar nights. Elements of the modern New York loft inspired-design will include timber panelling and furnishings, mood lighting, and window […]
NEWS: Escape the daily grind at Aroma 2014
Attention all coffee-loving meeting-planners – the Southern Hemisphere’s largest annual coffee festival, The Rocks Aroma Festival, is around the corner and in the lead up to the event on Sunday 27 July, there’s a host of activities and workshops available throughout July: COFFEE APPRECIATION COURSE Do you love coffee and thirst for more? Or do you wonder what so many people rave about? Understand the magic as you travel through the exotic world of coffee and learn the art of coffee tasting. For more […]
NEWS: Vivid breaks records
Sydney’s 18-day festival of light, music, and ideas has smashed previous attendance records out of the park, NSW deputy premier, Andrew Stoner announced this week. A record 1.43 million people attended Vivid Sydney this year, an increase of 79 per cent compared to 2013. Mr Stoner said visitors came from across the state, throughout Australia, and from around the world to take part in the event. “There were more than 19,500 international travellers on Vivid Sydney travel packages, up 74 per cent on 2013, which is fantastic for […]
VENUE UPDATE: Fresh CBD restaurant & bar
Fresh Catering is set to open a new restaurant and bar, The Governors Table Bar & Dining, at The Museum of Sydney. Due to open next week on Monday June 16, The Governors Table Bar & Dining has been touted as a foodie’s haven – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new restaurant and bar draws inspiration from its remarkable historical connection as the site of the first Government House in Australia. The space has been completely transformed by leading designer inochi DesignLife. Inspired by […]