The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) welcomed the appointment of a high-profile board to oversee the newly created Events New South Wales, paving the way for renewed energy in the Australian State’s events sector.

 

SCVB Managing Director Jon Hutchison said the creation of Events New South Wales was a key strategic development that would further boost Sydney’s standing as an international destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

“Events New South Wales has been created to develop Sydney and New South Wales as a vibrant and prosperous centre for all manner of events, and business events will continue to be an important part of that spectrum,” Mr Hutchison said.

“The SCVB will work closely with Events New South Wales to develop our State’s business events sector and to create an aggressive growth strategy aimed at placing Sydney among the world’s top 10 congress destinations,” Mr Hutchison said.

The creation of Events New South Wales followed a broad review of the tourism and events sectors mounted by John O’Neill, the high-profile Managing Director and CEO of Australian Rugby Union, at the request of the New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma.

“The SCVB made important contributions to the O’Neill review, which recognised the achievements of the bureau and the value its member-base brings to our State and the business events sector,” Mr Hutchison said. “As a result, the SCVB will continue as it has done for almost 40 years – identifying international event opportunities and bidding aggressively to bring them to Sydney.”

Mr Hutchison said State Government funding for the SCVB would now be directed via Events New South Wales rather than Tourism New South Wales.

“The SCVB has commenced the financial year with a near-record first quarter performance and we welcome the Premier’s announcement and increased support from the State Government which will enable us to secure more events for Sydney and New South Wales,” Mr Hutchison said. “This is a positive step towards ensuring the city competes effectively and successfully in the future.”