The feathers were flying at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre this month, with the venue playing host to the 2012 Yonex Australian Badminton Open.

Attracting more than 300 top players from 29 countries, the Tournament was the first major international sporting event held at the Centre since the venue played host to a selection of 2000 Sydney Olympic Games events.

The Tournament was the first major international sporting event held at the Centre since the venue played host to a selection of 2000 Sydney Olympic Games events.

Tournament director Loke Poh Wong said the Centre had been chosen because of its size, flexibility and ability to provide space for five competition courts and six practice courts as well as ample seating for 1500 spectators.

Located in one of the Centre’s 5000sqm exhibition halls, the tournament was broadcast around the world to a potential audience of more than 100 million viewers, providing great exposure for Sydney, which was hosting the event for the first time.
It took three days to set up the hall for the event, with more than 750 square metres of sprung flooring laid for the courts and the installation of special lighting and tiered seating.

The semi-finals and finals were played to a sell-out crowd, with many fans vowing to be the first in line for tickets for the 2013 event.
Wong described the Centre as a fantastic venue for the event.
“The Centre’s staff bent over backwards to accommodate us, from the very moment we stepped into the empty hall during bump-in, right through the tournament until I handed back the hall access key at the end of the event,” Wong said.

“Everyone at the Centre could not have been more helpful and the Centre’s location in the middle of Darling Harbour was just great.”