Sydney moves to expand conventions

At the behest of New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma, John O'Neill has been tasked to revive Sydney as a prime destination for international conferences, conventions and events.

O'Neill, who has also successfully headed up both Australian Rugby and the Football Federation Australia over the last 12 years, said: "Sydney is one of the strongest brands in Australia. It's a unique Australian identity. It's the gateway to Australia. It's a truly global city," he said.

After hosting the Olympics in 2000 and the Rugby World Cup in 2003, Sydney just welcomed participants to this year's World Youth Day.

Among proposals under discussion is making the Sydney Festival in January an even bigger event.

There are plans to create the "New Year in Sydney" campaign, starting from the Sydney to Hobart Race on December 26 to New Year's Eve with its famous fireworks show in Sydney Harbor, followed by the Sydney Festival and finishing with Chinese New Year.

The board is urging the government to build additional 10,000 sq m convention space at Darling Harbour and another 40,000 sq m of exhibition room in Olympic Park.

"We're at the next stage of our evolution as a city. It's clean, healthy, young, vibrant and safe, and it's really ready to open its arms to visitors from all over the world," said O'Neill.

www.events.newsouthwales.com.au

(China Daily 08/07/2008 page42)