Resilience in motion; Remaining agile in a pandemic
In times of change, resilience has proven paramount in remaining open throughout this pandemic. In an uncertain landscape, ICC Sydney has successfully taken an agile approach and continuously adapted to the current health regulations. Despite not knowing how long the road to recovery is, our successes in the venue give us confidence in what lies ahead.
Over the past week, ICC Sydney welcomed more than 60,000 people across a diversity of events including conferences, exhibitions, concerts and gala balls. We felt match-fit and ready to host events safely under our EventSafe Operating Guide, which integrates parent group ASM Global’s Venue Shield program. However, this past week’s Victorian outbreak and subsequent lockdown serves as a reminder that there will continue to be distractions and detours on our road to recovery.
It is nonetheless reassuring to continue to see key recovery milestones met, most significantly the resurgence of Sydney businesses and the state economy. It is imperative that we retain our resilience as we aim for full confidence in national travel, the next step in recovery.
We’ll continue to work closely with our industry representative bodies in their advocacy work with state and federal governments.
It is my hope that we will then see additional travel bubbles emerge with certain markets and then ultimately, full and unfettered international travel. Underpinning the success of our forward trajectory is our need to be vaccinated. Once we are at acceptable vaccine levels, we’ll also need to address visitor quarantining in order to attract talent for events and, of course, delegates – allowing us to arrive at our ultimate destination.
Even though challenges continue, it is important that we never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. These bumps in the road remind us that there is still some way to go but with our ever-agile team working hand-in-hand with clients to plan and deliver world class events even in the face of COVID-19, it’s a path we’re confident we can walk.
About ICC Sydney
ICC Sydney is Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue. The showcase international venue underpins Sydney’s place as one of the world’s most desirable meeting and major events destinations. ICC Sydney is the epicentre of a 20-hectare transformation of Darling Harbour by the NSW Government to highlight Sydney as the first choice in Australia and the Asia Pacific region for the major events industry. A NSW Government project, ICC Sydney was delivered in partnership with Darling Harbour Live, comprising Lendlease, Hostplus, Aware Super, Capella Capital, ASM Global and Spotless FM. Hassell + Populous were joint venture design consultants for ICC Sydney.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences.
From its Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, ASM Global operates a network of venues that includes convention & exhibition centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Christchurch (opening 2021), Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen; Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong (opening 2023) and interests in major stadia in Sydney, Parramatta and Perth; and entertainment arenas and performance theatres in Brisbane (4), Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney (4), Bangkok (Em Live Theatre and Bangkok Arena both opening in 2023), Dubai, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem-solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world delivers locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners, and operations, and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit asmglobal.com
