The four-day leadership program will be held in Sydney in early 2027, from February 22 to February 25, the week after the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) takes place in Melbourne.
The 2027 course will be delivered as the AIPC ANZ Academy by the global association in collaboration with local bodies, the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and Business Events Industry Aotearoa.
In 2028, the leadership program will be expanded in scope to become the AIPC Asia Pacific Academy, accepting applicants from the wider Asia Pacific region.
“At ICC Sydney, we strive to make a difference. We’re proud to host the AIPC Academy for the next three years, where emerging leaders will explore how events drive economic impact, generate lasting legacies and shape the future of our industry,” said ICC Sydney CEO, Adam Mather-Brown.
“As we embark on our next decade, there’s no better place to inspire the leaders who will define the future of event delivery.”
The AIPC ANZ Academy has been held in Australia and New Zealand for the last two years – first at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in 2025 and this year at the just-opened Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland.
“ICC Sydney’s three-year commitment is a powerful statement of belief in the next generation of convention centre leaders,” said AIPC CEO, Sven Bossu.
“It gives the academy a secure home and the confidence to grow into the AIPC Asia Pacific Academy in 2028, where so many more people across the region can take part.
“We are proud to stand alongside ICC Sydney as it turns ten.”
ICC Sydney will officially mark its 10th anniversary next month – it held its first event, a Keith Urban concert on December 14, 2016 in what is now known as the TikTok Entertainment Centre. Since opening the convention centre has hosted almost 5,300 events attended by 10.5 million people.
