Six major shows could be forced out of Sydney if suitable temporary space cannot be found to accommodate them by mid next year, one of the largest organisers of exhibitions at Darling Harbour has warned.
Diversified Exhibitions managing director Matt Pearce welcomed confirmation of plans to redevelop the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre but said its closure for three years created “serious problems for large events”.
And Sydney’s loss could be Melbourne’s gain, he said.
“Our immediate concern is lack of clarity around alternative venues for large exhibitions that require more than 10,000 metres of exhibition space,” he said. “If we don’t have suitable high quality space confirmed by the middle of next year we will have to make decisions about where to go.
“If we have to move to Melbourne or Brisbane we will do so but this would be a huge loss to Sydney. We are working closely with infrastructure NSW on this issue but we need the Government to act with urgency to find suitable temporary venues.”
The city is not without possibilities, he added, with the suitability of Barangaroo and White Bay being explored.
Pearce said major exhibitions require 18 months to two years of forward planning meaning final arrangements for 2014 events must be confirmed by mid 2013.
“We would prefer to keep these major events in Sydney but it is difficult to make any firm decisions until we know where the venue will be, how much space there is and the configuration,” Pearce said.
