ICC Sydney to boost NSW economy

With progress underway for the ICC Sydney, the building is set to cement Sydney as a key international player and boost the economy along the way.

The building of the ICC passed a milestone last week with the lifting of the roof, an engineering feat usually reserved for aircraft hangers, bridges and stadiums.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance joined in on the celebratory event for the exhibition centre.

Premier Mike Baird said the convention centre’s events and tourism appeal will offer a boost to the NSW economy by $200 million each 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 in the international stage,” Mr Baird said.

The centre has already lined up close to 40 international conventions alongside 50 exhibitions, according to CEO Geoff Donaghy.

“Kicking off the 2017 exhibition season is the Reed Gift Fair, which takes up all halls across the center, and is expected to attract 500 exhibitors, 20,000 buyers and see millions of dollars transact as a result,” said Mr Donaghy.

Mr Constance said that ICC Sydney is now recruiting 2,000 people to help deliver superior event experiences for the events, adding to the 7,000 people who have worked across the site during the building process.

“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,” Mr Constance said.

With the building progress on track, ICC Sydney will open in December 2016 with key connections with the city’s talent hubs, learning institutions and thought leaders.