Sydney has topped the country’s results in the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) Country and City Rankings Report, ranking it
number one in Australia for conferences and congresses and number 24 worldwide, a rise of ten places from last year.

Sydney was also ranked sixth in the Asia-Pacific region, with the number of meetings held in the city rising from 57 in 2011 to 86 in 2012.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Stoner said the ranking confirmed Sydney’s status as one of the top business events destinations in the Asia- Pacific.

“Sydney is an outstanding location for international business events and the NSW Government is determined to build on this strong reputation,” Stoner said.

“We are getting on with the job of building Australia’s largest fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities in Darling Harbour, a development that will cement Sydney’s status as Australia’s number one business events destination.

“This redevelopment represents a major investment in the state economy and is set to generate about $5 billion in economic benefit for NSW over 25 years, create 3,700 jobs during construction and provide ongoing employment for 4,000 people across the precinct.

“When finished, the new facilities enhance Sydney’s global reputation as a host for business events and will woo more business delegates to Sydney, who on average spend six times more than other tourists.

“Not only does our visitor economy gain from hosting business events, but the value to our economy as a whole is boosted. Business events spur valuable trade and investment opportunities, they link our local industry to the world’s leading thinkers and professional networks, and breed innovation and new ideas,” he said.

Stoner said Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the organisation responsible for promoting Sydney and NSW as business events destinations, was working closely with the NSW Government to align its events with the Government’s priority sectors and Major Event Calendar, such as Vivid Sydney.

DNSW has worked closely with BESydney and Good Design Australia to align the Australian International Design Festival, incorporating the Australian International Design Awards, Showcase and Forum, to Vivid Sydney – the largest light, music and ideas festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Since March 2011, BESydney has delivered 162 events, attracting an estimated 104,473 delegates and generating an estimated $375m in economic impact to the state.

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said the ICCA results were testament to the value that the entire city places on securing business events.

“This is a great result. But it wouldn’t be possible without our full global team – government and business partners, Ambassadors and Future Leaders, and Strategic Partners and Members. This is a whole-of-city achievement and one we can all be proud of.”