SYDNEY ON THE UP FOR 2018

THIS year is shaping up to be another big year for Business Events Sydney (BESydney) and the MICE sector in Australia’s largest city, with a number large conferences on the calendar.

At the forefront will be 6,500 delegates who will attend SIBOS, the world’s largest financial services event in Oct at ICC Sydney.

The financial conference is expected to generate an estimated $37 million for the NSW visitor economy.

BESydney chief executive officer Lyn Lewis-Smith said hosting SIBOS would allow Australia to demonstrate the strength of the local finance and banking sector as well as startups entering the space.

“We also expect the event to boost the city’s fintech capability as local industry benchmarks itself against the latest developments around the world,” she said.

Finance will continue to be on the cards in the later part of 2018 for Sydney, with another 5,000 delegates set to arrive on Australia’s shores for the World Congress of Accountants from 05 Nov to 08 Nov.

“The last time Australia hosted this highly soughtafter congress was 1972 in Sydney. To have it return to our shores some 40 years later is testament to the strength of our professional services industry and global reputation,” said Lewis-Smith.

The city will also host the first of two LAUNCH Festival start up events in Jun.

It will be the first time the event has been staged outside of the United States.

LAUNCH will be held at SMC Conference & Function Centre.