Business Event Sydney (BESydney) and International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) have been key players in the business events industry for 65 years combined. Their leadership has shifted the focus of business events beyond direct expenditure to broader impacts such as knowledge transfer, talent attraction, and foreign investment. BESydney, with over a decade of research on the benefits of business events beyond tourism, places great emphasis on creating impactful events. ICC Sydney’s expanding Legacy Program incorporates sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion, and support for First Nations Peoples.
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith highlighted the global responsibility of business events to create social impact and knowledge exchange. ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy reflected on their achievements in connecting communities and promoting sustainability, diversity, and inclusion.
“Making a difference to visitors and businesses”
“Our proudest moments have been making a difference to visitors and businesses. Sharing Australia’s First Nations story, our newly launched Disability Inclusion Action Plan, our leadership in prioritising the planet through sustainability initiatives and giving back to our local and global community”, Donaghy said.
Both organisations aim to foster meaningful change and influence through their events. Recent research by ICC Sydney with McCrindle suggests that social impact outcomes will become a standard expectation for delegates. Additionally, BESydney’s research in partnership with the PCMA Foundation aims to address gender disparities in the industry, advocating for leadership roles that reflect the workforce composition.
Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference with a lasting impact
In 2023, BESydney piloted a new impact framework with the FDI Dental Association, which yielded significant results that were discussed at the IMEX Association Power Hour. Another notable event was the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference, which had a lasting impact on funding, legislation, and awareness.
BESydney’s Impact Strategy will be released in Q3 2024. ICC Sydney’s brand and relationships have secured 1,126 events through 2034, anticipating 4.7 million attendees.
For more information, visit besydney.com.au and iccsydney.com.au.
