Spotlight on: Vivid, NSW, Australia
In conversation with... Sandra Chipchase, CEO Destination New South Wales and Executive Producer of Vivid Sydney
Q What’s the history of Vivid Sydney ?
A: The event (May 25-June 16, 2018) is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW. It transforms the Harbour City with its large-scale light installations and projections, live music, creative ideas, discussion and debate. It was established in 2009 with the aim of attracting more visitors to Sydney during the traditionally quieter winter. In its first year Vivid welcomed 225,000 attendees and has continued to grow, with 2.33 million from Australia and across the world in 2017. Travel packaging continues to increase visitation to the festival and on to regional NSW. In 2017, 592 Vivid Sydney travel packages were sold to UK visitors.
Q How and why should agents persuade their clients to visit during Vivid Sydney?
A: This year is Vivid’s tenth anniversary and promises to be the biggest festival to date. Sydney’s winter is generally mild so visitors can explore the city by day in the sunshine, enjoying cultural events, arts exhibitions and world-class galleries, sporting matches, luxury shopping and the world’s best sightseeing and attractions – there’s never a shortage of things to do! By night, they can roam the city comfortably while experiencing the spectacle of the festival. Regional NSW is so easily accessible from Sydney, whether it’s a visit to the breathtaking Blue Mountains, wine tasting in the Hunter
Valley or a coastal road trip to Byron Bay, there’s plenty across the state to cater for every desire.
Q How does Vivid Sydney change the city’s atmosphere?
A: Sydney is amazing year round but throughout Vivid Sydney it’s truly magical, inspiring and colourful! Amazing art installations and creative projections transform Sydney’s architecture and open spaces along the Harbour foreshore, painting the Harbour City in a canvas of light. The contemporary music programme features collaborations and performances from local and international acts in Sydney’s best music venues, and Vivid Ideas provides a forum for creative discussion, inviting industries to collaborate, foster business connections and showcase new ideas. There is a real sense of inspiration and creativity in the air.
Q How can visitors get the most out of Vivid Sydney?
A: Every year, Vivid Sydney continues to grow bigger and brighter. There’s always something new and exciting to explore: the Vivid Light Walk footprint stretches across the iconic Sydney Harbour to Taronga Zoo, our music venues pulsate with live performances, and creative leaders and innovators share their visions at seminars, workshops and conferences all over the city. Visitors will never be able to see and experience everything in one night – so we encourage guests to start planning their trip early and take the time to explore different precincts over several nights, and soak up the magic and excitement of the festival. “Vivid Sydney showcases the city’s incredible built and natural environment to a global audience, placing it
on the world stage. It’s Australia’s biggest event and the largest festival of its
kind in the world”