10 international conferences have been secured by the City of Sydney, a move the City says will provide the local economy with a $42 million boost.
Business Events Sydney (BES) is to receive $1.5 million from the City over the next three years in an effort to continue attracting events while Darling Harbour’s exhibition and convention centre is redeveloped.
More visitors to Sydney leads to more customers for local hotels, restaurants and other attractions, which Lord Mayor Clover Moore says is the aim of the City’s investment.
“Our investment through Business Events Sydney demonstrates our commitment to growing Sydney businesses,” the Lord Mayor says.
“It has directly contributed to attracting more people to our city, growing our profile as a world-class destination at a time when international competition for large business events is getting stronger.”
The conferences set to hit Sydney between 2014 and 2017, which will secure over 11,000 national and international delegates, include the World Business Forum and meetings of LG and Amway Taiwan staff.
Lyn Lewis-Smith, BES Chief Executive, says the City’s assistance will play a major role in driving business to Sydney.
“In the past 12 months, the City’s funding has directly helped us secure 10 international events for the coming years that will contribute over $42 million in economic benefit to the city,” said Ms Lewis-Smith.
“In addition to its financial support, the City has also played an active role in the bidding and delivery stages of a number of key events, including the 105th Rotary International Convention, which welcomed over 19,000 people to Sydney from around the world in June.”
Business Events Sydney secured 73 international events during the financial year ending in 2013, a result that injected the city with a $113 million financial boost.
