BUSINESS Events Sydney (BESydney) has been tasked to manage business event enquiries and bookings for the future Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) in Darling Harbour and the Glebe Island Expo until operators of the two facilities are appointed.
According to Tim Parker, project director of Infrastructure NSW, the company behind the SICEEP project, Glebe Island Expo will be a temporary facility.
“It is designed specifically to house exhibitions scheduled during construction of the new Darling Harbour venue, and will be removed once our new, world-class precinct opens at Darling Harbour,” Parker told TTGmice e-Weekly.
He added: “Glebe Island Expo will be up and running by the time the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Sydney Entertainment Centre are closed for the construction of the new facilities in December 2013.”
According to a press statement by BESydney, major public exhibitions and trade shows affected by the Darling Harbour development will have first right of refusal for bookings for the interim facility.
The interim facility is expected to secure additional events too.
Speaking of BESydney’s new responsibility, Parker said: “BESydney’s team has extensive knowledge of the events market and the expertise to oversee the enquiry and booking process for both Glebe Island Expo and SICEEP.
“Our aim is to make the enquiry and booking processes as streamlined and user-friendly as possible. BESydney is already bidding on events for 2017 and beyond that will take place in the new facilities. The company is well placed to manage enquiries.”
Lyn Lewis-Smith, BESydney CEO, said: “BESydney will be a one-stop shop for business events. Glebe Island Expo is part of the Sydney-wide interim solution that will enable Sydney to remain a vibrant hub for business events while SICEEP is constructed. The new facilities will deliver great opportunities for business events in the city, both now and in the future, and the team is looking forward to working closely with the industry to ensure their success.
“We already have a dedicated Event Delivery department that assists clients with sourcing venue options for their events. BESydney has been working closely over the past months to re-home the conferences and congresses it secured for Sydney that will be affected by the SICEEP development.
“This team will be expanded and will have dedicated staff to take on the responsibilities of the Glebe Island Expo and SICEEP.”
