Sydney has welcomed a new year worth more than A$100 million to the local economy as it prepares to host 30,655 international conference delegates during 2007. The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau has secured 35 major business events to be held in Sydney this year, worth a combined A$104 million.

The largest event of the year will be the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, which will bring 3000 world experts to Sydney in July and is worth A$12 million.

Other large-scale conferences scheduled this year include the Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association for 2500 delegates in August (worth A$10.5 million); the XVIII World Congress of the WAS (World Association for Sexual Health) and 1st World Congress for Sexual Health for 2500 delegates in April (A$10 million); and the Financial Planning Association 2007 National Conference for 2500 delegates in November (A$6.8 million).

Sydney will also host the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand & International Federation of Societies of Hand Therapists for 2100 delegates in March (A$7.7 million); the 7th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships for 2000 participants in September (A$2.5 million); and the World Airline Road Race for 2000 participants in October (A$1.7 million).

SCVB Managing Director Jon Hutchison said 2007 would be another strong year for Sydney’s business events sector.

“This year is particularly good for large-scale events, with at least 10 conferences expected to attract more than a thousand delegates,” Mr Hutchison said. “Each of these events is worth between A$1.3 million and A$12 million over just a few days, making them especially valuable contributors to the city’s economy.”

Mr Hutchison said Sydney continued to show particular strength in hosting major medical and scientific conferences, with more than a third of events scheduled for 2007 coming from these fields. This year would also involve several large incentive groups from Asia, one of Sydney’s most promising growth markets.

The SCVB will showcase Sydney and its events expertise at AIME 2007 on February 13 and 14. It will be joined on the Sydney/New South Wales stand by exhibition partners Accor Hotels, Sydney Harbour Marriott, Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, City of Sydney Venues, GPO Sydney, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, Australian Technology Park, Carlton Crest Hotel Sydney, Mercure Sydney, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Taronga Zoo and Taronga Centre, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, Hunter Valley Gardens, Nick’s Restaurants, EcoPoint Resorts and Wollongong Conference and Events.