Business Events Sydney (BESydney) will continue to lead the charge in shining a spotlight on the true value of the business event industry.
Speaking at a press conference at AIME today, CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith, discussed how the bureau has successfully shifted the focus on business events in New South Wales (NSW) to now include both the visitor and knowledge economies: business events are now a key part of the State’s economic development platform.
“I believe that BESydney is one of the few – if not the first – convention bureaux to have changed the stakes in our local market.
“Through the extensive Beyond Tourism Benefits research projects, we gained industry-leading insights into the social, economic and educational value of business events. We used these results to successfully change the way our industry is viewed.
“We have achieved the paradigm shift. It’s now understood at high and broad levels that business events are worth far more than the tally of tourism receipts. Business events contribute to a healthy, global knowledge economy. The work we do to secure these events for NSW is now being embraced by the NSW Government as part of an aligned economic development strategy,” said Ms Lewis-Smith.
Ms Lewis-Smith described how the research proved to be a strong platform to strengthen relationships with the NSW Government, as well as contributing to the business case for the new convention centre – the ICC Sydney – that will open in late 2016.
“We showcased how business events can align with NSW Government priority sectors and drive great benefits to the State in the form of international collaboration, knowledge exchange, skilled migration and trade and investment.
“The NSW Government has released A Platform for Growth: The NSW Economic Development Framework and I’m pleased to say that business events will be a focus for the future. The framework outlines how business and government will work together to demonstrate leadership, make it easier to do business, collaborate to drive innovation and competitiveness, invest in critical infrastructure and raise the global profile of Sydney and NSW.
“As part of this framework for economic development, we are expanding our global Ambassador program to embrace NSW Government priority sectors. We also have a seat at the table to develop an exciting new Global Talent Hub initiative,” concludes Ms Lewis-Smith.
“International attendees at business events in NSW could be interested in the idea of moving here, studying, investing, teaching and researching. BESydney will work with the Committee for Sydney, the NSW Government and some of our leading businesses to tap into this talent pool and help to drive innovation, collaboration and competitiveness.
“Our role in attracting international business visitors to NSW is vital. However, we are committed to achieving broader development objectives for the State and look forward to working with government, business and community to maximise the social and educational, as well as the financial, benefits of business events taking place in NSW,” says Ms Lewis-Smith.
