## ICC Sydney Sparks Innovation: Connecting Local Tech Talent with Global Business Opportunities
The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), under the management of ASM Global, recently showcased its commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing local talent during the Innovating Events Roundtable held at SXSW Sydney. This event, which took place from October 14-20, 2024, aimed to bridge the gap between emerging tech talent and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) event organizers, creating a platform for collaboration and driving innovation within the business events sector.
The Innovating Events Roundtable, a key component of ICC Sydney’s Legacy Program, served as a powerful catalyst, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders. Sydney’s tech and startup community, including leading players from the Sydney Startup Hub, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Startups, Investment NSW’s Tech Central, and the Tech Council of Australia, were represented. These local innovation leaders engaged with representatives from professional services, education, and computing sectors, along with startup CEOs and Business Events Sydney, to explore the transformative potential of integrating Sydney’s tech expertise into the MICE industry.
This roundtable provided a valuable platform for participants to discuss the Legacy Program’s Tech and Innovation stream, which aims to nurture tech startups and emerging talent through strategic partnerships and event-based initiatives. The discussions highlighted the pivotal role of MICE events in driving productivity and fostering new business models, ultimately leading to industry breakthroughs.
Adam Mather-Brown, General Manager of ICC Sydney, emphasized the venue’s dedication to exceeding expectations and contributing to the local community. “Being ‘More Than A Venue’ at ICC Sydney, we relish the opportunity to help enhance events and customer experiences that provide positive benefits to our local community. By amplifying our Legacy Program’s Tech and Innovation stream, we aim to incubate tech solutions for our industry and foster enhancements on-site, while providing connections to our innovation partners to collectively drive greater productivity.”
The roundtable also provided a unique opportunity for students from the UTS Robotics Institute to engage with the MICE industry through a collaborative project. This project showcased the potential for integrating technology into event management, ultimately enhancing both event execution and attendee experiences. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into how tech talent can contribute to improved event outcomes.
Kristian Nicholls, Chief Client Officer of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), underscored the potential of MICE events to harness Sydney’s entrepreneurial spirit and facilitate knowledge exchange across various sectors. “Sydney is a city of unparalleled and breathtaking natural attributes – but more than this, it has diverse industry sectors undertaking groundbreaking research and development to solve universal challenges. Every sector hosting events, from renewable energy to manufacturing, medical sciences to financial services, can utilize BESydney’s network and connectivity to local entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and our Global Ambassadors to bolster their programs and drive research, development, and knowledge sharing.”
This connection between MICE events and Sydney’s dynamic tech ecosystem is crucial in ensuring that business events create long-lasting positive impacts. Integrating local innovation into event programming not only enriches the event content but also empowers startups and tech professionals to apply their skills and ideas in real-world settings.
The Innovating Events Roundtable also featured valuable insights from Dr. Tim Boyle, Chief Executive Officer of ARCS Australia, and a former Director of Innovation and Commercialisation at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Dr. Boyle acknowledged the significant role that MICE events can play in driving innovation within industries such as healthcare and therapeutic goods, which have long relied on innovative approaches to address sector-specific challenges. “The Australian therapeutic goods sector has a long history of addressing industry challenges by embracing innovation. It is gratifying to see ICC Sydney’s Legacy Program sparking connections to local tech and innovation talent, supporting the business events industry to boost productivity across all sectors.”
By facilitating collaboration between the MICE industry and local tech innovators, ICC Sydney is helping sectors like therapeutic goods, renewable energy, and more to leverage cutting-edge solutions that emerge from event-driven partnerships.
The Legacy Program at ICC Sydney has emerged as a cornerstone of its mission to connect local talent with global opportunities through MICE events. This program plays a vital role in creating trusted partnerships that bring innovation into business events, helping organizers craft successful activations and startup concepts that offer new opportunities for emerging talent.
ICC Sydney’s commitment to innovation extends far beyond simply hosting events. It actively fosters an ecosystem where tech startups, educational institutions, and industry leaders can collaborate to address global challenges. By amplifying its Tech and Innovation stream, ICC Sydney positions itself as a key player in driving productivity, not only within the MICE industry but also across multiple sectors that benefit from enhanced event experiences.
The Innovating Events Roundtable during SXSW Sydney served as a powerful testament to how MICE events can act as catalysts for connecting local talent with global business opportunities. ICC Sydney’s active role in fostering these connections highlights its unwavering commitment to being a venue that amplifies the potential of Sydney’s tech and innovation talent.
Through strategic partnerships and a focus on long-term impact, ICC Sydney is redefining how MICE events contribute to industry breakthroughs and local economic growth. With its Legacy Program at the forefront, ICC Sydney continues to drive innovation in the MICE industry, demonstrating that business events can do more than just bring people together—they can spark meaningful change that benefits communities and industries alike.