ICC Sydney received a visit from NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance this week to celebrate a major milestone in the delivery of Sydney’s convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct.
They were on site to view the recent lift of ICC Sydney’s exhibition centre roof – an engineering feat usually reserved for aircraft hangers, bridges and stadiums.
Baird said ICC Sydney is on track for completion in December and will provide a boost to the NSW economy of $200 million every year.
“ICC Sydney is making great progress – it will truly cement Sydney as the number one place to live, work and do business, and retain its rightful place on the international stage,” he said.
ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said international interest in the venue is soaring with close to 40 major international conventions having now been secured alongside 50 exhibitions.
“Kicking off the 2017 exhibition season is the Reed Gift Fair, which takes up all halls across the centre, and is expected to attract 500 exhibitors, 20,000 buyers and see millions of dollars transact as a result,” he said.
ICC Sydney is the centrepiece of the NSW Government’s $3.4 billion revitalisation of Darling Harbour, which includes:
-Three interconnected and flexible buildings that can host world-class conventions, exhibitions and entertainment events;
-Vibrant public spaces centred around the expanded green space of Tumbalong Park and linked to the city and its surrounds by a bustling boulevard and pedestrian connections; and
-35,000 sqm of internal exhibition space and a 5,000 sqm open air event deck.
Constance said that already more than 7,000 people have worked across the site and ICC Sydney is now recruiting for the 2,000 people that will help deliver superior event experiences.
“Infrastructure investment is pivotal to our economy and the liveability of our state and creates huge benefits both during construction and well into the future,” said Mr Constance.
“Right now we are delivering Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct in the heart of our glorious city, and already it is making a remarkable contribution to jobs and the state’s economy,” he said.
ICC Sydney opens in December 2016 with a Feeding Your Performance approach to catering, technology and connections with the city’s talent hubs, learning institutions and thought leaders.