TEDx Sydney 2015 - 16 speakers, Opera House, 21 May

One of the best festivals of ideas, dangerous or otherwise, is the TED series, with TEDxSydney unveiling its 2015 speaker line up.

For the first time, the 2015 TEDxSydney will be hosted within the entire Sydney Opera House complex with a series of events - ensuring more people than ever before are able to attend, engage and interact.

It is billed as ‘one of the most celebrated TEDx events in the world’, and will be held on Thursday 21 May with an audience of more than 3000 expected to attend.

Naturally, the Concert Hall will host the main live program, but there’s also the ‘TEDxSydney at the Playhouse simulcast event’ which will live stream speakers and performances from across the four sessions to the playhouse within the Sydney Opera House.

This will give a further 400 attendees ‘an intimate and up-close experience as part of the 2015 festival.’

We know who will think of the children, too, with TEDxSydney also set to host a ‘youth focused event’, in partnership with the University of Sydney, with full details expected to be announced ‘in the coming weeks.’

TEDxSydney Founder and Licensee Remo Guiffré said: “This is a year of ‘firsts’ for TEDxSydney. Not only is this the first time that we’re taking over the entire Sydney Opera House – minus the Joan Sutherland Theatre – but it’s also the first time we’re hosting the event on a weekday.

“In a way, I think the curatorial theme of learning was a response to this shift in day. It presented us with a wonderful opportunity to engage and involve school and university students while also knitting together the diverse experiences and ideas of our key speakers through a single theme.

“And of course, it’s also the first time that our community will have the opportunity to hear from this extraordinary bunch of individuals. I for one can’t wait to hear what they have to share.”

Today’s news is just the first in a series of program updates for TEDxSydney, with the performance line-up for 2015 to be announced next week.

So, who are the speakers?

We’re told we’ll hear from ‘the great-great grandson of Charles Darwin to an internationally undefeated champion kickboxer and a Director at the International Red Cross, a group of the world’s leading thinkers and doers will take to the stage at TEDxSydney 2015 to deliver their thought-provoking ideas.’

TEDxSydney’s Editorial Director, Edwina Throsby said: “Learning never really stops. Just because you leave school, it doesn’t mean you stop seeking out new information, having fresh ideas or looking for inspiration. Every one of the extraordinary speakers at this year’s event has something to impart to the audience – whether that’s the result of a lifetime of research or just a life well lived.

“Our community is really smart and connected, so it’s a huge challenge to curate a program that excites them and offers them something new. Our 2015 line-up brings together speakers from all backgrounds, who have incredible stories, world-leading research, and big, fresh ideas. Every member of our audience – at the Opera House and online – will learn something new at TEDxSydney this year.”

Here’s the lineup of speakers:

24 year old Dylan Alcott OAM is a Paralympic gold medallist, World Champion, Grand Slam champion and world record holder for both wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.

Born in Baghdad, pioneering surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis was forced to flee Iraq to Australia as a refugee. He embarked on his journey to become a world leader in osseointegration surgery on his release from a detention centre in 2000 and is now part of a crack team pioneering bionic fusion.
Chris Darwin is the great-great grandson of one of history’s most celebrated scientists and evolutionists – Charles Darwin. Tackling what his great-great grandfather called his “greatest regret”, Chris has made it his life’s goal to help halt the global mass extinction of species.

Nadine Champion is a UFC High Performance Coach. With over 28 years experience in martial arts, Nadine has never lost a fight.

Australian born and raised, Dr Helen Durham is the first woman to head International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Julian Burnside is an Australian barrister, human rights and refugee advocate, and author. He has acted as legal counsel in a number of high-profile hearings including pro bono for major human rights cases, in particular concerning the treatment of refugees.

The king of the compost toilet, Hamish Skermer knows a thing or two about how to deal with human waste. The Australian entrepreneur invented his own environmentally friendly dry toilet 15 years ago which has since been used at some of the world’s biggest music festivals including Glastonbury, the Falls and Meredith festivals in Australia.

Tom Uglow is Creative Director for Google's Creative Lab in Sydney. He works with cultural and creative organisations around the world exploring the space between technology and the arts and what can happen where they intersect.

Trans woman Starlady is a youth worker in some of Australia’s most remote and challenging places. Using an unusual set of tools the flamboyant hairdresser spends her time traveling thousands of kilometres across the central desert.

Currently based in New York, Tega Brain is an Australian artist and environmental engineer working at the intersection between art, ecology and engineering.

Stephanie Trigg is a literary scholar in the field of medieval studies. Currently one of ten Chief Investigators in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions (UWA), she is particularly known for her work on celebrated English poet Geoffrey Chaucer.
Richard Bourke works in Louisiana – America's Deep South – as a death row lawyer defending people who are facing or have already received a death sentence.

Tony Fry is a design theorist, philosopher and author from Brisbane who offers a profoundly challenging view on the relationship between design, unsustainability, and politics.
French-born marine biologist rockstar – Dr Daniel Pauly – is well known for his work instudying the human impact on marine ecosystems and global fisheries.

Susan Butler is the Editor of the Macquarie Dictionary. After starting out as a research assistant in 1970, she has been at the helm of the dictionary for more than 30 years.

No stranger to controversy, Dr. Charlie Teo is a high profile and inspirational neurosurgeon pushing boundaries. Founder of the Cure for Life Foundation, he operates on both Australian and international cancer patients. 

He is known as the brain surgeon that goes where others will not.

At the TEDxSydney website, you’ll see the notice that ‘Applications to attend TEDxSydney 2015 within the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House on Thursday 21 May 2015 have now CLOSED.’

However you can also see that ‘Tickets are now on sale for our simulcast event, TEDxSydney at the Playhouse, where we’ll live stream speakers and performances from all four main stage sessions. There are only 400 seats available for this unique TEDxSydney 2015 experience. BOOK NOW.’

You can also download the TEDxSydney app for iOS devices here and for Android devices here.

No joy for Windows Phone or users sadly, it seems owning a Windows Phone and wanting to use it to experience is an idea too far, too big and too dangerous for TEDxSydney.

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International Jewellery Fair 2014 - Sydney

The Sydney International Jewellery Fair moves into its 23rd year with a fresh new look and a fabulous new home.

We are excited about the fair being held at Sydney’ s newest, premier CBD location for exhibitions and events, Sydney Exhibition Cent re @ Glebe Island.

And getting to the fair is as easy as ever with complimentary, dedicated transport options available.

Located on Sydney’s magnificent harbour foreshore near the ANZAC Bridge, this fresh new venue will offer contemporary pop-up eating spaces, captivating views of Sydney’s harbour and icons, and scheduled special event transport on show days.

Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island will be just minutes from all the excitement and attractions of Darling Harbour. Catch a theatre performance, dine by the water, visit the aquarium or stay in your favourite harbourside hotel after the show!

FOR VISITORS

Explore, compare and purchase the latest products and services, all under one roof. See the hottest trends, network with peers, stay ahead of the competition.

FOR EXHIBITORS

The largest qualified audience of Australia’s Jewellery retailers, all in one place and at one time. Meet your market face to face and increase sales.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

The Fair is exclusively open to trade buyers of jewellery products, purchasing in trade volumes. All visitors must meet minimum registration criteria and we recommend pre-registering to visit the Fair. Click here for more information on visitor registration.

The Fair welcomes the following visitors:

Jewellery retailer
Department store buyer
Watch or clock retailer
Jewellers
Duty free retailer
Jewellery manufacturer
Jewellery designer
Gemmologist
Watch maker/repairer
Gift store retailer with jewellery stock
Gift retailer with jewellery stock
Fashion retailer with jewellery stock
Student (in a jewellery related course)

LOCATION

Sydney Exhibition Centre, Glebe Island

Click here for Visitor Registration Information

Sydney To Get Its Own Contemporary Art Fair

These vast supermarkets for selling art are ever more popular: the past two months alone have seen the inaugural New York edition of the London-based Frieze in May; Art HK in Hong Kong just two weeks later; and Art Basel in Switzerland, the grandest modern and contemporary fair of them all, earlier this month. Galleries that took part in all three describe the gruelling sequence as a “marathon”.

For galleries wanting to tap into the growing Australian market, the marathon is about to get even longer. The first edition of the biennial Sydney Contemporary will take place next year, from April 12-14. It will start modestly, according to British founder Tim Etchells, who runs an event management company in Australia. He expects about 70 galleries, mostly from Australia and New Zealand, with a sprinkling of international ones from countries such as Indonesia and Singapore.

“We’d like to get some of the high-end galleries in Sydney like Roslyn Oxley [whose programme focuses on artists from the Asia-Pacific region] and Anna Schwartz [who represents British artists Antony Gormley and Yinka Shonibare, among others] – so far we’ve had a pretty positive response,” says Etchells.

But the goal is to develop the event to attract more international galleries and collectors within a few years. “We’ll try and make it really fun with lots of ancillary programming,” says Etchells. He adds that interest in contemporary art is growing in the city.

“The opening of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s new wing in March was a huge event, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales [which opened new galleries last year to show the contemporary collection of textile magnate John Kaldor] is very successful.”

Etchells has form when it comes to launching art fairs in new markets, with his biggest success to date being in Hong Kong. In 2007 he started Art HK after a chance meeting with an art dealer friend in Sydney. Four years later he sold a 60 per cent stake in the fair to Messe Schweiz, the Swiss company that runs Art Basel and its sister fair in Miami Beach. Messe Schweiz’s annual report for 2011 reveals that the price paid to Etchell and his partners was CHF6.6m.

Sydney's Mega-Events Migrating to Sydney Olympic Park

With the upcoming closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC), many of Sydney’s larger events have already announced their re-location to Sydney Olympic Park.

This week two major events, the 2014 and 2016 Sydney-based Australian International Motor Show and the 2014 Rotary International Convention have releases statements about the relocation.

Yesterday (18 June) Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, announced that Rotary International has confirmed its 2014 Rotary International Convention event will remain in Sydney, and will re-locate to Sydney Olympic Park.

After winning the initial bid in 2006, Sydney was required to resubmit an extensive proposal showcasing Sydney Olympic Park as the host venue, due to the closure of SCEC from the end of this year for an extensive three- year expansion and redevelopment of the Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Precinct (SICEEP).

The 2014 Rotary International Convention will be held in June and is expected to attract up to 18,000 delegates who will spend 72,000 delegate days in Sydney and deliver an economic impact of $60.5 million to the state.

“This is a great example of NSW’s flexibility and agility when it comes to hosting world-class events. Government and the private sector have rallied together to make sure that the promised Rotary 2014 event will be delivered seamlessly, despite the required venue change,” said Souris.

“This is a spectacular result for our visitor economy, with the event delivering an estimated economic impact of $60.5 million. It is also a strong demonstration that Sydney is well and truly open for business – even during the SICEEP development period.”

Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said, “We are thrilled to hear that the international Rotary delegation will still be coming to Sydney in 2014. Such a mega-event is an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the skill and adaptability of our industry.”

“BESydney worked hand in hand with the NSW Government and Sydney Olympic Park Authority on venue options. We showcased the flexibility, diversity and passion that ‘Team Sydney’ had to offer the Rotary event in 2014. This has delivered a fantastic outcome for Sydney, NSW and Australia’s global reputation,” she added.

The 2012 Australian International Motor Show in October will remain at SCEC.

“Whilst the SCEC has been our home for twenty three shows, we are very much looking forward to the opportunities presented to us and exhibitors alike at Sydney Showground,” said Australian International Motor Show, event director, Russ Tyrie.

“The Sydney Olympic Park venue will enable the Motor Show to grow and become a more diverse event, with the expansive outdoor areas giving exhibitors more room and the chance to host both on and off stand activities – the possibilities are practically endless.”

“SCEC has been a wonderful venue for Motor Shows in Sydney over the years, hosting hundreds of model reveals with almost five million visitors streaming through its doors to see the best that the Australian automotive industry has to offer,” said Tyrie.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how the plans shape up for its redevelopment; but rest assured, the 2012 Australian International Motor Show at SCEC promises to be a fantastic send-off to a great venue.”

$1 Billion Makeover: Sydney Entertainment Centre To Be Knocked Down

The Sydney Entertainment Centre will be demolished and the Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour closed for up to three years as the precinct undergoes a $1 billion makeover.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell today announced the development of an integrated exhibition and entertainment precinct in the city's CBD.

The fully integrated convention centre will increase the size of the existing precinct by two-thirds to 20 hectares and will include the largest exhibition space in Australia at 40,000 square metres.

"The project will mean a complete facelift for Darling Harbour - as well as the world-class facilities," Mr O'Farrell said today.

Up to 3500 jobs are expected to be created during the construction.

The 30-year-old Sydney Entertainment Centre is to be demolished while the exhibition and convention facilities will be closed from late 2013 to late 2016.

The project is aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the major events industry in the state, particularly in terms of the Asia-Pacific.

"They will bring NSW an economic benefit of more than $1 billion over five years," Mr O'Farrell said.

"NSW has already lost $150 million in economic benefit over the four years to 2010-11 because the current facilities have not been able to accommodate 169 conventions and 12 exhibitions," Mr O'Farrell said.

The new facilities will include the biggest meeting room space in Australia at 6000sq m and the biggest Australian convention hall capacity.

There will be a red-carpet premium entertainment facility with a capacity of at least 8000 people, suitable for international entertainment events and 'mega' conferences.

"The NSW government is creating a vibrant world-class convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour that will keep Sydney centre stage as Australia's global city," Mr O'Farrell said.

Infrastructure NSW (INSW) will lead the delivery of the new facilities as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) tailored for the project.

During the three-year construction period, Sydney's major events industry will remain open for business, Mr O'Farrell said.

Sydney Olympic Park, Moore Park, the Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh and various Sydney hotels will play an expanded role in hosting events during the construction period.

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Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre takes traffic management online

In a first for the Australian events industry, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has designed an online traffic management system for its exhibition hall loading docks.
The move is part of the Centre’s ongoing program to boost operational efficiency and recognises the high level of demand put on the Centre’s six exhibition halls, which are the busiest in the country.

The new system enables a central traffic controller to log all truck arrivals online, and advise waiting drivers by SMS when it is their turn to move to the loading dock to offload or collect exhibition material.

The system also allows exhibition organisers to easily review the flow of traffic during their event, while freight companies can access the system to assess waiting times for their vehicles.

Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the Centre’s security team had studied venue traffic management methods worldwide before partnering with a company to tailor-make its own system, which breaks new ground.

“No other venue in Australia has an online management system and whilst some international venues use them, we discovered that none of them offered the detail we need so we decided to create our own,” Mr van Amerongen said.

“The new system is premised on the need for efficiency and safety on the loading docks. Not only does it reduce the waiting time for trucks, it keeps all the key players in the loop during the crucial days spent setting up and dismantling an exhibition.”

Mr van Amerongen said the program also provided post-event reports which could be used by organisers to assist planning for future events.

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Busy 2012 for Sydney

Business Event Sydney (BESydney) reports it has secured conferences, congresses and incentive programs that will see over 211,200 delegate days spent in Australia’s harbour city in 2012.

Worth an estimated A$191 million to the New South Wales economy, the events range from small incentive groups to mid-size congresses and international mega events.

“The 2012 calendar year is going to be a bumper year for the business events industry in Sydney and the economic and social legacies of these events will be substantial,” said Lyn Lewis-Smith, BESydney’s acting chief executive.

The events are spread throughout the year, although March will be a stand-out month with eight international events scheduled.

In total, 9,500 delegates will spend more than 39,700 delegate days in Sydney in March. These events include the 3,200-delegate-strong USANA Asia Pacific Convention, the XVI International Symposium on Atherosclerosis that is expected to attract 1,500 delegates and a 1,500-delegate Tupperware Indonesia incentive group.

Sydney Aiming For ‘Record Year’

Sydney’s convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) says it is well on its way to delivering 2011/12 results “above and beyond” the AU$186.5 million earned by the company the year before.

Just two months into the new fiscal year, BESydney has secured 34 events estimated to be worth AU$69 million to the New South Wales economy.

BESydney acting chief executive Lyn Lewis-Smith said the company’s strategies were “definitely paying off”.

“Aligning our bid focus to the NSW Government’s priority growth sectors and increasing our efforts within the Asian market have seen Sydney enjoy a very strong start to the financial year,” Ms Lewis-Smith commented.

As well as highlighting the economic benefits events brought to NSW, the acting BESydney boss pointed to the “opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking, and trade and investment” successful tenders produced.

“Business events bring like-minded professionals, often at the pinnacle of their field, to our doorstep and help to raise awareness of Australia’s intellectual capital,” she said.

“Beyond the tally of tourism receipts, business events deliver far-reaching legacies across sectors that will help to grow NSW’s future prosperity.”

BESydney head of bidding Virginia Loyola said the team was working towards “a record year”, calling the early results “really inspiring”.

“Hard work, coupled with a strong, clear vision, has resulted in good wins to date and there are more to come,” Ms Loyola remarked.

“Whether it’s securing international conferences, national conventions and symposiums, or incentive travel from the Asian market, Sydney is competing strongly as a global city and a leading business events destination.”

(Source: Source : e-Travel Blackboard)

$12 Million in Incentive Business Comes to Sydney

The Following Conference Events are scheduled to take place in Sydney in the next year or so:

AIA Thailand Annual Convention 2012

Date: 2012
Delegates: 2,000 over 4 days
Estimated value: $7.9 million

Business events Sydney (BESydney) has been building a relationship with the AIA Convention organisers since 2008.

In 2011 BESydney was asked to put forward a proposal for the convention and developed a presentation that showcased the harbour city as the perfect destination, giving new ideas for gala events and sharing some past experiences.

Melbourne also pitched for this annual convention.

Sydney has been selected as the successful destination.

Fubon Life Insurance Overseas Incentive 2011

Date: September 2011
Delegates: 600 over 5 days
Estimated value: $2.9 million

Fubon Life Insurance covers banking, insurance, asset management, real estate and telecommunications sectors. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has built a strong relationship with Fubon's key senior management team, working with them since 2004.

Australia is a popular incentive destination for Taiwanese companies and BESydney successfully communicates how the new developments and activities in Sydney can inspire staff.

Fubon has two incentive groups, both of which are coming to Sydney in 2011. Final numbers, destinations and program itineraries will be announced in August.

The proposed itinerary includes a night in the Blue Mountains, day tours to the Hunter Valley, and Sydney touring.

The groups will travel in waves of 50 people per group.

Orient Fans India Incentive 2011

Date: September 2011
Delegates: 350 over 5 days
Estimated value: $1.7 million

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) first made contact with the client's travel agent at ATE in 2011.

Orient Fans and the selected travel agent visited Sydney for a site inspection in July 2011.

For Sydney Conference Accommodation, choose Metro Hotels

Sydney Secures More International Conferences

Business Events Sydney has kicked off the new financial year with the announcement that three major conferences have been confirmed for Sydney in 2012.

The conferences are predicted to bring in almost $4M to the local economy.

The following is an overview of each event.

Robotics Science and Systems (RSS)

Date: 2012
Delegates: 400 over 5 days
Estimated value: $1.7 million

RSS brings together researchers working on algorithmic or mathematical foundations of robotics, robotics applications, and the analysis of robotic systems. These conferences have consistently provided high-quality, topically focused forums for researchers at the forefront of robotic development. 2012 will be the first time the conference is held in the Asia Pacific Region. Previous conferences have been held in USA, Spain and Switzerland.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) met with the client in October 2010 as they had a long involvement with the conference.

A demonstration of support from industry and government was a specific requirement for the bid submission, which was presented at the conference in June 2011.

In early July 2011 it was decided by the RSS advisory board that Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) would host the 2012 Conference.

BESydney will assist with local arrangements. The University of Sydney is the proposed venue for the 2012 conference.

International Symposium on Mobile Mapping Technology (MMT) 2012

Date: 2015
Delegates: 400 over 4 days
Estimated value: $1.3 million

The event focuses on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. This is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information from noncontact imaging and other sensor systems about the Earth and its environment, and other physical objects and processes.

This opportunity was identified by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Ambassador, Paul Harcombe. BESydney presented the bid at the 2011 conference in Poland. The bid document and presentation included information on the University of New South Wales (UNSW) as a venue and destination information about Sydney and Australia. The committee decided against Sydney for 2013, but selected the destination for the 2015 event. This is the first time that the committee has decided on the destination of two consecutive MMT Symposiums at the same time.

The recent success of the Sydney XXIV International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Congress in 2010 was a huge selling point for the committee, as FIG is a major sponsor of MMT. The event also links nicely into Australia's strengths in the spatial sciences field.

The client will host the event at UNSW and the university will provide management support. They will not tender for a PCO.

15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT)

Date: 2012
Delegates: 300 over 4 days
Estimated value: $954,000

The Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT) conference series was founded in 1993 in Ireland. Held annually, the conference provides a chance for academics, researchers, and engineers to meet and exchange innovative ideas and information on all aspects of materials, material processing technologies, manufacturing and computer aided engineering and nanotechnologies. 2012 will be the first time that this event is held in Australia.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) identified this lead in April 2007 and, with the help of the UK/Europe office, in 2009 approached the International Steering Committee for further information.

In May 2011, Sydney's bid to host AMPT 2012 was submitted to the International Steering Committee. The submission included a draft budget by a Gold Stakeholder PCO, and proposed University of Wollongong as the conference venue.

In June 2011, the International Steering Committee voted and announced that Sydney will host the 2012 conference. Competing countries included Poland, Tunisia, Egypt and United Arab Emirates.

Promotion of AMPT 2012 will begin in July at the 2011 conference in Istanbul. The PCO selection process will commence after this year's event.

National Medicines Policy Conference 2012

Date: 2012
Delegates: 300 over 4 days
Estimated value: $579,600

This event was first held in Sydney in 1995 and will return in 2012. The conference will be co-hosted by the World Health Organisation, in particular through two of its regional offices, Western Pacific and South East Asia.

In March 2011, the client contacted Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for venue information. Gold Coast and Brisbane were also being considered as possible host destinations for 2012.

BESydney submitted Sydney's proposal to host the event in early April 2011, and was selected as the destination for 2012.

Have Your Say About The New Sydney Convention Centre

The Sydney Multifunction Convention and Exhibition Centre will take its first significant step from being a concept to being a reality next Friday, with an industry forum offering stakeholders the chance to have their say about the development plans. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) stakeholders are invited to attend and be involved in the discussion prior to the full tender process commencing.

The first official event of the planned period of consultation, the forum will also offer the opportunity to gain further insight into the proposed design, timeframe and objectives of the project from the government's perspective.

The re-development will deliver our city a new world-class multifunction convention, entertainment and exhibition facility and play a major role in ensuring Sydney remains Australia's number one business events destination.

The team at BE Sydney welcome the efforts made by the NSW Government to consult with the industry, and we hope to see you at the forum next Friday.

Event details:

Date: Friday 8 July
Time: 9.45 am - 11.30 am
Location: Parkroom Ballroom, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
RSVP: Please note that pre-registration is required via email: info@newsydneyconventioncentre.com or phone 9240 8502.

If you are unable to attend this briefing, all information will be available on the project website - www.newsydneyconventioncentre.com.