Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Ambassador Program has reached a milestone with 52 Ambassadors onboard. Launched in September 2009 with 22 Ambassadors, the program brings together a group of prominent people from a range of fields, who are passionate about promoting Sydney to the rest of the world.

At the annual dinner event at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, BESydney officially welcomed 16 new Ambassadors to the program. The BESydney Ambassador Program is endorsed and supported by the NSW Government.

BESydney celebrated a milestone at the SCEC last week by welcoming 16 new ambassadors

“BESydney recognises the instrumental role that our Ambassadors play in attracting business events to Sydney and New South Wales. This program is aimed at galvanising the professional expertise and networks of our Ambassadors to unearth and attract world leading business events to the State,” said  Jon Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer of BESydney.

The annual recognition event was also attended by key government representatives and industry leaders.

In his address to the dinner audience, Dr Richard Sheldrake, Director General of Industry & Investment NSW said, “Business events play an important role to support the government’s strategies to drive economic growth through alignment with NSW industry sector capabilities and expertise.”

He added, “You as the Ambassadors of the business events industry in Sydney play a significant part in the growth of the business events industry, providing the crucial connections and intelligence between government, the business events industry and your respective professional networks.”

Professor Alan Cooper OAM from the Royal North Shore Hospital, said that hosting a major specialised event, “Can bring substantial benefits to your organisation, one of which is to put your work on the world stage to demonstrate the stature of your profession and in the process generate greater awareness within your industry and from government.”

Professor Alan Cooper OAM from the Royal North Shore Hospital receiving his recognition as one of 16 new ambassadors

Professor Cooper went on to say that with the right level of support and good delegate marketing a conference can yield significant returns.

“The financial legacy from the World Congress on Dermatology held in Sydney in 1997 enabled us to set up a Foundation which continues to support dermatology research, distributing up to $300,000 a year.”

The BESydney Ambassador Program extends beyond the shores of Australia to include 6 professionals from overseas – 3 from Asia, 2 from Europe and 1 from North America.

“We expect to grow our international network of Ambassadors to broaden our reach to harness greater opportunities for the State,” said Mr Hutchison.

Still four months to go to the end of the financial year, BESydney has secured 49 national and international business events, expected to generate $125.3 million to the economy in the future. This is a significant 78% increase from the same time last year.

BESydney recently announced over $7 billion in infrastructure spending has been committed for Sydney in the next five years. These new developments will be the catalyst to a new level of collaboration, focused on bringing new business, new people and new ideas to the gateway of the Asia Pacific region, Sydney.

“With 52 high profile and dedicated Ambassadors working alongside us, we will be aiming to reach even greater heights. To date, we have a robust pipeline of 111 events lined up till 2017, expected to produce $427 million economic value,” added Hutchison.

BESydney Ambassadors are opinion leaders in their fields, recognised for their professional achievements and enthusiasm in their support for Sydney as a business events destination.

Hutchison said the benefits from business events extend beyond tourism contribution of room nights and immediate expenditure.

“Business events bring influential thought leaders together to discuss and share ideas, stimulating knowledge expansion and investment opportunities. These are the perfect platforms to showcase Sydney’s physical assets, support trade, drive innovation, and enhance Sydney’s profile in the business, professional and scientific world.”