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Kristian Nicholls, General Manager Business Development, Business Events Sydney (BESydney)
Did you know that...
+ Sydney is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, more than 200 languages are spoken in Sydney and nearly a third of Sydneysiders were born in one of 140 overseas countries.
+ Sydney has the beauty and the brains. It’s Australia’s commercial centre with more than 600 multinational companies choosing to run their Asia Pacific operations from the city. And of the top 500 companies in Australasia, 45 per cent are located in New South Wales (NSW).
+ in 2013, Sydney was named the world’s most reputable city (2013 City RepTrak Study) out of 100 and ranked among the world’s top 20 meeting cities (International Congress and Convention Association City Rankings 2013; Union of International Associations Rankings 2013).
Where to meet?
Sydney is the meeting place of people, opinions and ideas. It’s forward-thinking, engaging and diverse, where people gather to design a better future.
The city’s meetings infrastructure is as varied as its people. From iconic spaces with views of the world’s largest natural harbour to high-tech conference settings, Sydney is dedicated to helping events succeed – whether it’s to wow 5,000 delegates or create an intimate boardroom meeting for 12.
Always on the move, the city is continuing to invest in its facilities to future proof its reputation as a global city. The revitalisation of Darling Harbour and the Barangaroo development represents a total investment of over A$7 billion into Sydney’s business precincts of the future.
Darling Harbour will undergo a once-in-a-lifetime urban transformation when it becomes the home of a new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). Due for completion in late 2016, this 20-hectare development will become Australia’s largest convention and exhibition facility, cementing Sydney’s place as a leading global destination where the world’s brightest minds gather to connect, collaborate and do business. This venue will feature 40,000sqm of flexible exhibition space, 8,000sqm of meeting spaces and Sydney’s largest ballroom.
Where to stay?
Sydney offers an extensive choice of accommodation to suit every style and budget. Whether it’s five-star luxury suites, contemporary and spacious serviced apartments, boutique hotels or budget university accommodation, Sydney can meet the needs of any association.
Sydney’s supply consists of around 150 four- and five-star hotels, 102 three-star hotels and 23 in the two-star and budget category. Approximately half of the 34,000 guest rooms available in Sydney are located in the city centre and within walking distance to major event spaces and attractions.
Most of the internationally-renowned hotel groups are represented, including the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney with 563 guest rooms and a 668sqm Grand Ballroom; Pullman Sydney Hyde Park with 241 rooms; InterContinental Sydney with 509 rooms; and Hilton Sydney with 579 rooms and 4,000sqm of flexible event space for up to 3,000 delegates.
The Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour’s plans for a A$160 million redevelopment includes an additional 230 rooms, over 4,800sqm of pillar-less convention, exhibition and function space, and boutique office space overlooking Darling Harbour. By mid-2016, the hotel will offer 900 rooms.
How to get there?
Sydney is easily accessible with over 600 international flight arrivals every week. Major international airlines offer direct or one-stop services from key hub cities including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, London,
Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Santiago and Singapore, and the city is within an 11-hour flight of about half of the world’s population.
Sydney Airport welcomes close to 40 million international and domestic passengers annually and almost half of all travellers to Australia, making it the country’s busiest airport and international gateway.
Do you offer any special services/assistance for associations?
BESydney is an association’s expert partner. As the city’s convention bureau, it’s our role to showcase the depth and texture of the city’s people and places, their passion for discovery and free thinking spirit; to allow our visitors to experience our city on all of its levels.
We take the time to understand your objectives and help you to achieve them. We facilitate genuine engagement with key players in industry, academia, government and local professional communities from the outset to ensure that association clients achieve measurable and lasting outcomes from their Sydney events.
With over 40 years’ experience, and representatives across the globe, we are a full-service bureau that’s always on hand to provide support, assistance and guidance for your next Sydney event. BESydney has a global network spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas. Best of all, our services are free-of-charge.
Whom to contact?
For more information, please contact BESydney’s:
Sydney office: Monica Varga at mvarga@besydney.com.au
North American office: Richard Yore at ryore@besydney.com.au
Europe and UK office: Martin Boyle at mboyle@besydney.com.au
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) is the organisation responsible for promoting Sydney as a business events destination, identifying new event opportunities and bringing these events to Sydney. www.businesseventssydney.com.au