Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has secured 31 meetings, attracting 47,000 delegates, that will generate an estimated $132 million in direct expenditure to the NSW economy.
BESydney Chair Bruce Baird said the past financial year had allowed the organisation to reflect on its work and strategically consider the future.
“In the final quarter of 2021-2022, BESydney saw a return of global business events to Sydney heralding an exciting new era,” he said.
“Throughout the last financial year, BESydney continued its bidding activities, retained secured business impacted by the pandemic; and administered two industry support programs on behalf of the NSW Government.
“Cumulatively this work secured 192 meetings which we expect will attract 95,600 delegates, staying 258,000 delegate days; and generate an estimated $159 million in direct expenditure for the state.”
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said the pandemic was a chance to “reimagine the role of business events”.
“This spurred us to embrace change and reimagine the role of business events as we rebuild, to showcase our industries, innovation, and visitor experiences to the world,” she said.
“We know that business events contribute to economic strategy and attract talent and capital that empower cities to lead globally. This provided BESydney with a clear purpose in the last financial year and the direction to build back best in FY 2022-2023.
“The forward pipeline of events is strong with future business to 2029 comprising 85 global and national events that will generate an estimated $483 million in direct expenditure and attract 111,000 delegates to our city.”
Over the reporting year, the organisation successfully oversaw Sydney Business Event Fund programs Kickstart and Accelerate in conjunction with Destination NSW.
“We are so proud of what we have achieved in what was a disrupted financial year,” said Lewis-Smith.
“BESydney launched an international brand campaign, hosted in-market activities, resumed in-person international and domestic briefings, delivered four research programs, attended in-person global trade shows and participated and shared insights at national and international forums across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Pacific.
“Strategic partners and members remained at the forefront, as we stepped in to support them via fee relief and additional marketing profiling to keep them top of mind in key markets.”
