The event was moved to Sydney in 2022 from Melbourne, where it was founded with the Victorian Government as a founding partner, and has been held in Sydney since.
The event has grown from 7,500 attendees in its first year in Sydney in 2022 to 9,000 delegates when it was held at ICC Sydney last month.
The 2024 event saw delegates attend from 115 countries and contribute an estimated $17.8 million to the local economy.
“It was great to see IMARC back in Sydney for a third consecutive year – its biggest yet, and the largest professional business event on Sydney’s packed 2024 calendar,” said BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith.
“The conference program facilitates vital conversations on ESG reporting and circularity, showcasing to the world how Australia is transitioning its economy.
“Our research shows that as well as generating an estimated $17.8 million of direct expenditure into the NSW economy from the 9,000 attendees gathering in Sydney for three days, world-leading business events like IMARC 2024 are also a platform for collaboration, innovation and attracting investment and talent,” she said.
Alongside anticipating the return of IMARC next year, the NSW tourism minister, John Graham, said there were plans to grow the business events sector for the state in future, a sentiment supported by the recommendations released recently as part of a review of the state’s tourism strategy.
The review recommended domination of Australia’s business events industry to reach an ambitious target of growing the state’s visitor economy to $91 billion by 2035.
