The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday, marking a milestone for the Australian events sector.
Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the May 4 silver anniversary was cause for celebration across the business events industry.
“The past 25 years have seen remarkable development in the national business events landscape,” Mr van Amerongen said.
“The opening of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in 1988 represented much more than just a Bicentenary project and a rejuvenation of Darling Harbour. It was also the catalyst for the growth and development of the entire business events industry, right across the country.”
Mr van Amerongen said Australia’s ability to host world-class events had benefited numerous local industries over the past quarter century, from medical and scientific professions through to the culinary world and sports sector.
“With a million people passing through our doors each year, the Centre has formed part of the economic and social fabric of our nation.”
Close to 15,000 events have been held at the Centre since its opening, including some of the world’s most prestigious meetings.
“We are very proud to have been a venue for major world congresses as well as high profile meetings such as the Australia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum,” Mr van Amerongen said.
“We were also a major sports venue at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and have been home to some of Australia’s largest public exhibitions, such as the Motor Show and the Boat Show.”
Mr van Amerongen thanked his staff for their contribution to the Centre’s success, saying that their skills and professionalism had kept the venue at the cutting edge of the industry since its opening in 1988.
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre will close in December to allow for the creation of a new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct, scheduled to open in late 2016.
