Events Choosing Sydney Despite Convention Centre Closure

Sydney, Australia is hitting the publicity trail with positive stories on the city despite not having a convention centre.

“Sydney expects 2014 to be a strong year for business events with close to 53,000 delegates spending more than 230,000 days in the city and delivering an economic impact (EI) of close to A$200 million to the New South Wales (NSW) economy.”

Lyn Lewis-Smith, ceo BESydney said: “New South Wales welcomes around 50 per cent of the 890,000 international business visitors to Australia each year. And of these total arrivals, conference and convention arrivals account for about 20 per cent of visitors."

“This year, Sydney is open for business even though we won’t have a convention centre for the next three years. The pipeline of secured events is strong and we are still seeing bid wins for short term Asian business that will continue to grow the event pool. The benefits from all of these meetings, incentives and conferences will be great.

“You only have to look at the events of all sizes that we are hosting this year - from 18,000 people to just a few hundred - to see that our venues are continuing to accommodate conferences, meetings and incentives in Sydney’s usual, exceptional manner.

"--Some 2014 highlight events secured by BESydney include: The 105th Rotary International Convention for 18,000 delegates with an EI of almost A$64 million; Pro-Health China Annual Conference for 4,500 delegates with an EI of A$22 million; International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Parks Congress for 3,000 delegates with an EI of A$24 million and the LG Group Long Service Staff Reward for 1,400 delegates with an EI of A$7 million.

“Rotary is one of the world’s largest annual international business events and will inject close to A$64 million into the local economy during the four official convention days in June, making it one of the largest business events ever mounted in Australia,” said Lewis-Smith.

Sydney Secures Another Mega Incentive from China

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has secured the Pro-Health China Annual Conference 2014, another mega incentive from China, worth an estimated $22.5 million in economic impact (EI) to New South Wales (NSW). 

It also follows the hugely successful Perfect China Leadership Seminar 2013, which was worth close to $21 million and welcomed more than 3,000 delegates to the harbour city in July.  

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said that the growth in the number of incentive events secured for Sydney over recent years is a result of the state’s targeted strategies to attract business from this important market.  

“Over the past decade, we have developed strong relationships in Asia. This has played an important part in the success that Sydney is now enjoying in the region,” Ms Lewis-Smith highlighted.  

“We know that Asia is a relationship-driven market and the long-term strategies we’ve invested in, including being the first Australian bureau to establish an in-market presence in Asia (2004), have enabled us to build networks and trust, and convert business for Sydney. 

We now have representatives in Singapore, China and India (in partnership with Destination NSW), along with Mandarin-speaking staff across key departments in our Sydney office. Together, these strategies are paying dividends!”  

Ms Lewis-Smith added that Sydney’s success could also be attributed to its ability to deliver real returns for companies that chose to reward their high achievers with a trip to the harbour city.  

“Incentives create a performance culture within companies, motivating staff to achieve results for a chance to be rewarded with an overseas trip. Sydney is an aspirational destination and  it certainly inspires teams to achieve!   

“Perfect China reports that it saw a 20% increase in sales following the company’s announcement that the 2013 incentive would be held in Sydney." 

Pro-Health China President, Mr Jason Li said that he looked forward to working with BESydney over the next year to ensure his high-achievers enjoyed a rewarding and authentic Australian experience in Sydney.  

“Sydney is a dynamic city with many attractions that will give our distributors quite a unique travel experience. This is not only an incentive trip, but also a heart-to-heart interaction between Pro- Health and Sydney. Our delegates will be eager to learn the attractions, culture, and everything there is to experience in this metropolitan city,” said Mr Li.

“With help from Business Event Sydney, we are confident that the government  and city will render tremendous support to our group to ensure our distributors return home with unforgettable memories of Sydney in 2014!”    
 
Last financial year, BESydney secured 33 Asian corporate incentive events worth an estimated $57 million in EI. This represents over 50% of revenue secured by BESydney during 2012/13.  There is no doubt that Asia continues to become an increasingly important market for Sydney.  

In the first quarter of the new financial year, the bureau has already secured six Asian incentive events. Five of these events (see list below) will take place in Sydney by the end of December, reflecting the short-lead nature of the Asian incentive market.   

• ACE Life Indonesian Incentive: 29–31 July  2013, with 73 delegates and an estimated EI of $ 219,000 
• Estee Lauder China Incentive: 23–26 August 2013, with 152 delegates and an estimated EI of $606,000 
• Confidential incentive from India: 4–7 September 2013, with 174 delegates and an estimated EI of $695,000 
• Great Eastern Singapore Bancassurance Incentive: 27–30 September  2013, with 130 delegates and an estimated EI of $519,00 
• MCIS Zurich Insurance Malaysia: 19–23 September 2013, with  152 delegates and an estimated EI of $758,000 
• Joymain China Top Distributor Incentive Trip 2015: 3–8 March 2015, with 700 delegates and estimated EI of $2.8 million.

Important Milestone for Sydney International Convention Centre

Artists Impression of the New Sydney convention Centre

Development of the AUD$1 billion International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) at Darling Harbour this week moved a step closer following the achievement of another important milestone.

The Australian Stock Exchange has been advised that financial close had been reached with Infrastructure NSW and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the NSW Government’s project to revitalise the 20 hectare site.

ICC Sydney will be operated by AEG Ogden, the leading venue management company in the Asia Pacific region and will feature a convention facility capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of over 12,000 delegates and total exhibition capacity of 40,000 square metres.

Site preparation works will commence this month followed by demolition works in February 2014. Sydney ICC is due for completion due in December 2016.

AEG Ogden’s Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said the new venue, featuring waterfront facilities in a prime CBD location in Australia’s leading city, was destined to become one of the most exciting major convention and exhibition facilities in the world.

“Even at this preliminary stage, it is attracting significant interest and strong demand worldwide.

“Business Events Sydney has confirmed that five international events have been secured for the venue and there are a further 60 expressions of interest from national association events as well as major exhibitions.

“In addition, by utilising AEG Ogden’s international operational and marketing experience and global venue network, we plan on taking business events through this venue to a new level,” he said.

Mr. Donaghy, who has also assumed the role as Chief Executive Officer for ICC Sydney said the next step was to establish the pre-opening office and commence recruiting the senior management team in early 2014.

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Conference – 2 to 4th Nov 2013

Join local and international colleagues during WFAS 2013 8th World Conference on Acupuncture, held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Australia from 2 – 4 November 2013.

Expect a clinically-relevant academic program presented by some of the world’s most highly regarded clinicians and researchers, plus an entertaining Gala Dinner and other functions in beautiful, central Sydney - close to the harbour and iconic Sydney sites. Download the First Announcement for more information.

The World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) is the peak international body for acupuncture and the Non-Government Organisation in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) on Acupuncture.

WFAS celebrates its 25th year in 2013, culminating in the 8th World Conference on Acupuncture in Sydney in November.

 AACMA, the leading Australian association of qualified Acupuncture and Chinese medicine practitioners, is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2013.

This unique professional development and networking opportunity is not to be missed. If you have any queries, please contact wfas2013@acupuncture.org.au

When: 2nd to 4th Nov 2013

Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Australia

NetSuite Announces Australian Cloud Events In October 2013

The industry's leading provider of cloud-based financials / ERP and omnichannel commerce software suites, today announced that its CEO Zach Nelson will be hosting two events in Australia for business leaders interested in learning how the world's leading companies are managing global expansion and achieving omnichannel commerce across business models, regions and channels, such as online, mobile, social and more.

The NetSuite events will be held in Sydney on Tuesday, 29 October from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Lower Town Hall, and in Melbourne on Thursday, 31 October from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at The Langham. For additional details and to register for the events, please click here.

Mr. Nelson will explore how cloud technology advancements have enabled businesses to leverage omnichannel commerce platforms. He will be joined on stage by logistics services provider Toll and sustainable packaging pioneer BioPak, who will share real-world experiences of how they have transformed operations and rapidly realised their business vision with NetSuite's cloud-based solutions.

In addition, Frost & Sullivan will also unveil new research on the adoption of omnichannel commerce strategies across a host of different industries, including retail, Ecommerce, manufacturing, wholesale distribution and others. Australian Retailers Association (ARA) will also participate in this event as a major sponsor.

Australian customers increasingly expect B2C and B2B merchants, manufacturers and wholesale distributors to provide a consistent customer experience through every step of a multi-channel, multi-location business, from Ecommerce, point-of-sale (POS) and order management, to merchandising, marketing, inventory, financials and customer support.
 Mr. Nelson will explain how:

• NetSuite OneWorld supports global businesses that have multi-currency, multi-language, multi-country and multi-brand requirements from a single cloud application.
• NetSuite SuiteCommerce empowers businesses to run seamlessly across multiple touchpoints — web, brick-and-mortar stores, social and mobile — providing real-time visibility of all customers, orders and products across all channels globally.

Today, more than 16,000 companies and subsidiaries depend on NetSuite to run complex, mission–critical business processes globally in the cloud. Since its inception in 1998, NetSuite has established itself as the leading provider of enterprise-class cloud financials/ERP suites for divisions of large enterprises and mid-sized organisations seeking to upgrade their antiquated client/server ERP systems.

NetSuite excels at streamlining business operations as demonstrated in a recent Gartner study naming NetSuite as the fastest growing financial management software vendor on a global basis.

NetSuite continues its success in delivering the best cloud ERP/financials suites to businesses around the world, enabling them to lower IT costs significantly while increasing productivity, as the global adoption of the cloud is accelerating.

For more information about NetSuite please visit www.netsuite.com.au.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/13/5818590/netsuite-announces-australian.html#storylink=cpy

The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC)

The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) is the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. 

More than 7,000 delegates come from more than 100 countries to discuss the latest developments in thoracic malignancy research. Attendees include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists, epidemiologists, basic research scientists, nurses and allied health professionals and patients.

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is located in Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is Sydney's most exciting entertainment precinct, where business meets pleasure on the waters edge. Only moments from the heart of Sydney's city centre, Darling Harbour is accessible by ferry, water taxi, light rail, bus, car or foot.

More information:
http://wclc.iaslc.org/index.html

Australian Navy: International Fleet Review 2013

The Royal Australian Navy is celebrating 100 years since the first RAN ships sailed into Sydney Harbour in 1913. Ships from more 20 nations comprising around 40 warships and 17 tall ships, plus 8000 naval personnel will help celebrate Navy’s historic event between 3 -11 October 2013.

More than 20 nations have confirmed participation by either a warship or tall ship including: Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Australian and foreign warships plus the tall ships will be open at these events for what is a rare opportunity for the public to go on board some ships.

The flagship HMAS Australia will lead the new Australian Fleet of seven cruisers and destroyers (HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra) into Sydney Harbour for the first time.

The program will include: a tall ships parade; warships arrival; ceremonial fleet review; naval gun salutes; fixed wing and helicopter flypasts; aerial acrobatic displays; Sydney Harbour fireworks and light show; ships open to visitors; combined naval march through the streets of Sydney; military band concerts; Freedom of Entry parades in Parramatta and Mosman; religious and memorial services; and sporting competitions. Military and historic aircraft will also feature prominently during the Review with more than 30 RAN and visiting navy helicopters and fixed wing aircraft taking part.

UPDATE: The United States Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Qingdao, a Luhu-class guided missile destroyer from China have confirmed their attendance taking the total number of visiting warships to 23. With the combined might of the Royal Australian Navy's ships and the tall ships there will be a fleet of 60 ships arriving in Sydney Harbour for the event. During Open Days on 6 and 7 October 2013 members of the public will have the opportunity to visit both warships and tall ships at Garden Island, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. 

More event information is available on the International Fleet Review 2013 website and their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IFR2013

• Date: 3 October 2013 - 11 October 2013
• Time: Refer to the Schedule of Events below
• Where: Various locations around Sydney, NSW. See below for details
• Website: http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/
• Cost: Free

Schedule of Events

Note: The following program is subject to change.

1 October 2013

• 1200-1600 Warships enter Jervis Bay.

2 October 2013

• 1830-2030 Welcome Reception hosted by Chief of Navy. Location: Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell (Invited Guests).

3 October 2013

• 1100 Tall ships entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 0730 Warships depart Jarvis Bay for passage to Sydney.
• 1830 Tall ships welcome reception. Location: Australian National Maritime Museum (Invited Guests).

4 October 2013

• 0600-1600 Warships enter Sydney Harbour
• 1000 Ceremonial Fleet Entry and 21 Gun Salute. HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin, Perth, Parramatta, Bundaberg, Diamantina and Yarra. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1100-1600 Australian Surf Rowers Reception. Location: Sydney Opera House.
• 1830-2030 Visiting Ships Welcome Reception. Location: Garden Island (Invited Guests).

5 October 2013

• Dress ship. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1100-1430 Ceremonial Fleet Review. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1130-1200 Formation flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1400-1900 Military demonstrations and Naval band performances.
• 1800-2030 Combined IFR Official Reception. Location: Sydney Opera House Forecourt (Invited Guests).
• 1930-2000 Pyrotechnics and Lightshow. Location: Sydney Harbour.

6 October 2013

• 1000-1130 HMAS Sydney Memorial Service. Location: Naval Memorial, Bradley's Head.
• 1300-1800 Tall ships open to the general public. Location: Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour (TBC).
• 1300-1800 Warships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
• 1400-1530 Ecumenical Service. Location: St Mary's Cathedral.

7 October 2013

• 0730-1015 Opening of Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• 0800-1800 Warships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
• 0800-1800 Tall ships open to the general public. Location: Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour (TBC).

8 October 2013

• 0800-1700 Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• 1000-1500 Combined Navies Golf Competition. Location: The Coast Golf Club.
• 1230-1400 HMAS Penguin Freedom of Entry to Mosman. Location: Mosman Central Business District.
• 1230-1400 Navy Memorial Service. Location: Cenotaph, Martin Place.
• 1300-1430 HMAS Parramatta Freedom of Entry to Parramatta. Location: Parramatta Central Business District.
• 1830-2030 Vice Regal Reception. Location: Government House, Botanic Gardens (Invited Guests).

9 October 2013

• 1030-1100 Sea Power Conference 2013 Closing Ceremony. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• 1230-1430 Combined Navies Parade. Location: George Street - The Rocks to Town Hall.
• 1430-1630 Lord Mayor's Reception. Location: Sydney Town Hall (Invited Guests).
• 1400-1630 Pacific 2013 IFR Ships Companies Lunch. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Closing of Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• 1500-1730 Twilight sailing with RAN Sailing Association. Location: Sydney Harbour.

10 October 2013

• 1100 Tall ships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1000-1500 Combined Navies Sporting Competition. Location: Randwick Barracks/Macquarie Park.

11 October 2013

• Warships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.
  

Need affordable and comfortable accommodation close to the fleet locations in Sydney Harbour?

Metro Hotels offer comfortable hotel rooms and apartments around Sydney city that will keep you close these venues and major public transport hubs. 

So whether you're coming from interstate to Sydney or coming from overseas, we've got you covered!

• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (close walk to Sydney Harbour)
• Metro Hotel Sydney Central (close walk or bus/taxi ride to Sydney Harbour)
• Metro Hotel on Pitt (close train/bus or taxi ride to Sydney Harbour)
• Aspire Hotel Sydney Ultimo (close train/bus or taxi ride to Sydney Harbour)

Each hotel or serviced apartment is close to major train stations, buses or ferries. Because all four hotels are situated in the city, there are plenty of taxis available to catch on the street. Many of the fleet locations can be reached by foot from our hotels. Nearby there are also supermarkets, shops, restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, medical centres and public toilets all within walking distance.

Want discounts on your stay at Metro Hotels? Here are some specials:

Kids Stay FREE Package @ Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

• $229.00* (Sunday - Thursday)
• $329.00* (Friday)
• $400.00* (Saturday)
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/316

Winter Sydney Great Saver @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel is offering this Winter Sydney - Great Saver package for $129.00 per room per night including:

• Free wireless internet 
• Free Breakfast for 2 adult 
• Free bottle of wine on arrival 
• Free late check out by 12 noon (Subject to availability).
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/307

Bed and Breakfast PLUS Package @ Metro on Pitt

Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Bed and Breakfast PLUS Package including:

• One Nights Accommodation
• Hot Buffet Breakfast for two
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/217

Park and Stay Special at Aspire Hotel Sydney @ Aspire Hotel

Aspire Hotel Sydney is offering this Park and Stay Special:

• Book for 3 nights accommodation at Aspire Hotel Sydney and get free parking
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/106