International Convention Centre Sydney Appoints

International Convention Centre Sydney Appoints
Human Resources Director

Oktober 2014 – AEG Ogden today announced the appointment of Mathew Paine as the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) Human Resources Director.

A senior practitioner with more than 14 years in human resource management, Mathew’s career has covered private and not for profit sectors and he has held roles in Australia, Japan and England. He joins ICC Sydney’s leadership team after four years as the Director of Human Resources with Sofitel Luxury Hotels and Resorts and leadership roles at YWCA NSW, Mindworx UK and Hilton Worldwide.

Chief Executive Officer of ICC Sydney and AEG Ogden Group Director for Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said Mathew’s appointment was timed perfectly to support a customer-focused culture at ICC Sydney, as it prepared for its next wave of recruitment.

“AEG Ogden is recognised as a trusted organisation across the world. We are known for more than our deep industry knowledge and global reach; we are recognised for the steady and creative solutions that deliver success time and time again for our clients. At ICC Sydney, we are shaping a team of people that will continue to build on that trust and Mathew will play a key role in our success.

“Mathew’s extensive experience in fast paced, client-focused environments will be critical in this important team moulding role. We are now set to embark on the next phase of recruitment to complement the growth in our industry presence and build on our customer-centric, team culture,” Mr Donaghy said.

Mathew is accredited as a Chartered Member of the CIPD and a Certified Professional of AHRI.

ICC Sydney showcased on international stage at IMEX America, Las Vegas

Oktober 2014 – International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), Australia’s first fully integrated convention, exhibition and event precinct, has received a glowing response at IMEX America, one of the world’s largest meetings, events and incentive travel industry shows.

Chief Executive Officer of ICC Sydney, and AEG Ogden Group Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said IMEX America provided the perfect platform to showcase Sydney to the world and meet face to face with influential industry stakeholders.

“Decision makers and selected IMEX attendees have received a special preview of ICC Sydney’s developing brand and new website today and we are delighted with the response,” said Mr Donaghy from the show in Las Vegas today.

“Our positioning of Sydney’s premier, integrated convention, exhibition and events precinct has received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from IMEX delegates, further reinforcing the growing excitement and global interest in this landmark project,” he said.

Managed and marketed by AEG Ogden, ICC Sydney benefits from the extensive global experience and connectivity of the group and its representatives’ collective industry knowledge.

“ICC Sydney’s marketing and business development activities are in full swing and I encourage you to make contact with the team at any time and to come along and meet with us at upcoming industry events,” said Mr Donaghy.

ICC Sydney Director of Business Development, Beverley Parker is meeting with delegates at Stand 2633 today alongside Business Events Sydney, the city’s business events bureau.

Find out more about the exciting waterfront venue located in the heart of Sydney and a thriving dining and leisure precinct by visiting iccsydney.com today.

ICC Sydney’s key features include:
• Convention facilities capable of hosting three fully separated, self-sufficient, concurrent events

• Total exhibition capacity of 35,000sqm, including 2,500sqm of flexible space

• An open air event deck of 5,000sqm, including a bar and lounge featuring spectacular city views

• A premier red carpet theatre with a capacity of 8,000 suitable for international entertainment acts and major convention plenary sessions

• A grand ballroom to provide Sydney’s premium banqueting space for more than 2,000 people which, at almost double the previous capacity, will become Australia’s largest ballroom

• 40+ meeting rooms that link to both the convention and exhibition areas

• World’s best practice technology throughout, including wireless connectivity across ICC Sydney

• Prime waterfront location on Darling Harbour in an activated dining and leisure precinct

• A renewed and upgraded public domain, which will include an outdoor event space for up to 27,000 people and improved pedestrian access from Chinatown, Central Station, Ultimo, Pyrmont and the city centre

• Adjacent luxury headquarters hotel with 600+ rooms.

About ICC Sydney
Opening in December 2016, ICC Sydney is Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and event precinct. The showcase international venue presents Australia’s largest and first fully-integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment centre, underpinning Sydney’s place as one of the world’s most desirable meeting and major events destinations. ICC Sydney is the epicentre of a 20-hectare transformation of Darling Harbour by the NSW Government to highlight Sydney as the first choice in Australia and the Asia Pacific region for the major events industry. ICC Sydney is being delivered by Darling Harbour Live, comprising Lend Lease, Hostplus, Capella Capital, AEG Ogden and Spotless, in partnership with the NSW Government.

Infrastructure NSW is the NSW Government agency managing the 20-hectare transformation – Darling Harbour’s most exciting renewal in 25 years. Darling Harbour and the new convention, exhibition and entertainment venues will continue to be publicly owned through Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, which is presenting a dynamic calendar of events during the redevelopment to keep the precinct active and vibrant.

ICC Sydney is operated by globally acclaimed and leading venue manager AEG Ogden, joining the group’s exceptional stable of world-class venues.

About AEG Ogden
AEG Ogden is an Australian controlled joint venture between Australian venue management interests and AEG Facilities of the United States.

AEG Ogden manages venues throughout the Asia Pacific region, including convention centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Kuala Lumpur, Hyderabad (currently in design), Oman (opening 2016), ICC Sydney (opening December 2016) and the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island; Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane; arenas including the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and the adjacent Sports Centre, Sydney’s Allphones Arena, the Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly the Sydney Entertainment Centre), the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Perth Arena; and live theatres including Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, the WA State Theatre Centre, Albany Entertainment Centre, and Subiaco Arts Centre. http://www.aegogden.com

In addition, AEG Facilities was recently announced as operator of both the Los Angeles Convention Centre and Hawaii Convention Centre.

AEG OGDEN CASTS GLOBAL NET FOR ICC SYDNEY PRE-OPENING TEAM

AEG OGDEN CASTS GLOBAL NET FOR ICC SYDNEY PRE-OPENING TEAM
Venue Manager, AEG Ogden has commenced recruitment for a number of key senior executives who will form the pre-opening management team at International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney.

ICC Sydney CEO and AEG Ogden’s Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy, said today the recruitment drive initially would be for the roles of Director of Sales, International Sales Manager and Communications Manager, and follows the appointment earlier this week of experienced events industry executive, Helen Mantellato as Exhibition Sales Manager.

“These highly specialised positions require specific experience and an appropriate background and as such, we expect strong interest from applicants both in Australia and abroad.

“It will be a unique opportunity for suitably qualified executives to be part of one of the most exciting major convention and exhibition facilities in the world,” he said.

The Director of Sales will require experience and a proven track record in a similar facility or facilities and have an excellent understanding of the business events industry.

The International Sales Manager will require strong experience in and an excellent understanding of the international business events industry.

The Communications Manager will require a high level of communications and media experience as well as creative marketing skills, but not necessarily in convention or exhibition venues.

Mr. Donaghy said construction work on the site at Darling Harbour has started and the pre-opening office would be in place soon.

“We’re now ready to take ICC Sydney business to a new level,” he said.

ICC Sydney will be operated by AEG Ogden, the leading venue management company in the Asia Pacific region. It is due for completion in December 2016.

About the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney)
ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour will be Australia’s first fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct.

Construction of the $1 billion facility commenced in late 2013 with completion due in late 2016. The development of the facility is being overseen by Infrastructure NSW and undertaken through a Public Private Partnership with The Darling Harbour Live consortium, comprising AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, Capella Capital and Spotless Facilities Services, with AEG Ogden being the venue operator. The convention facility is capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of over 12,000 delegates; total exhibition capacity of 40,000 square metres; an external event deck of 5,000 square metres featuring spectacular city views; a premier red carpet theatre with a capacity of 8,000 suitable for international entertainment acts and being used for major convention plenary sessions; a Grand Ballroom to provide Sydney’s premium banqueting space for more than 2,000; and a new ICC hotel complex with up to 900 rooms. For more information visit http://www.darlingharbourlive.com.au

IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

Development of the AUD$1 billion International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) at Darling Harbour this week moved a step closer following the achievement of another important milestone.

The Australian Stock Exchange has been advised that financial close had been reached with Infrastructure NSW and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the NSW Government’s project to revitalise the 20 hectare site.

The PPP is being delivered by the New South Wales Government in conjunction with the Darling Harbour Live Company comprising Lend Lease, HOSTPLUS, Capella Capital, AEG Ogden and Spotless.

ICC Sydney will be operated by AEG Ogden, the leading venue management company in the Asia Pacific region and will feature a convention facility capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of over 12,000 delegates and total exhibition capacity of 40,000 square metres.

Site preparation works will commence this month followed by demolition works in February 2014. Sydney ICC is due for completion due in December 2016.
AEG Ogden’s Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said the new venue, featuring waterfront facilities in a prime CBD location in Australia’s leading city, was destined to become one of the most exciting major convention and exhibition facilities in the world.

“Even at this preliminary stage, it is attracting significant interest and strong demand worldwide.

“Business Events Sydney has confirmed that five international events have been secured for the venue and there are a further 60 expressions of interest from national association events as well as major exhibitions.

“In addition, by utilising AEG Ogden’s international operational and marketing experience and global venue network, we plan on taking business events through this venue to a new level,” he said.

Mr. Donaghy, who has also assumed the role as Chief Executive Officer for ICC Sydney said the next step was to establish the pre-opening office and commence recruiting the senior management team in early 2014.

About the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney)
ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour will be Australia’s first, fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct. Construction of the $1 billion facility will commence in late 2013 with completion due in late 2016. The development of the facility is being overseen by Infrastructure NSW and undertaken through a Public Private Partnership with The Darling Harbour Live consortium, comprising AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, Capella Capital and Spotless Facilities Services, with AEG Ogden being the venue operator. The convention facility is capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of over 12,000 delegates; total exhibition capacity of 40,000 square metres; an external event deck of 5,000 square metres featuring spectacular city views; a premier red carpet theatre with a capacity of 8,000 suitable for international entertainment acts and being used for major convention plenary sessions; a Grand Ballroom to provide Sydney’s premium banqueting space for more than 2,000; and a new ICC hotel complex with up to 900 rooms. For more information visit www.darlingharbourlive.com.au

GLOBAL RECOGNITION SET TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

GLOBAL RECOGNITION SET TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
Global recognition highlighting the beauty and “must-see” aspects of Sultanate of Oman is good news for the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre which is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Speaking at one of Europe’s premier meetings industry trade fairs, IMEX, in Frankfurt, Geoff Donaghy, the Director of Convention Centres for AEG Ogden which manages the Oman Centre, said the importance of international awards could not be understated as a tool to promote venues to prospective customers.

“Oman and its capital city Muscat recently being acknowledged by both Lonely Planet and National Geographic for its range of attractions was very timely.

“Oman has been trading with the world for more than 5,000 years and is an active global community member so it comes as no surprise that our preliminary research and promotional activities has uncovered strong interest in the Sultanate as a destination,” he said.

Mr. Donaghy said Oman’s diverse landscape, natural attractions, pristine coastline and rich heritage and culture had contributed to its emergence as a business events destination and becoming the Arabian Tourism Capital in 2012.

“AEG Ogden has been working in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Oman’s key stakeholders in introducing the world to Oman and as the new hub for major international conventions, meetings and business events. Many international and regional organisations have already expressed a strong desire to hold future or expand events in the sea side city of Muscat.

“Our message to these decision-makers is consider Oman not only for the world class venue that will be there but the diversity of attractions at their disposal. It’s a total package that delegates will be inspired to attend and an experience they won’t forget,” Mr. Donaghy said.

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre will be a world-class venue within a fully integrated precinct housing a five star hotel, two four star and a three star hotel totalling 1,000 rooms, supported by a shopping centre, business park within four kilometres from Muscat International Airport.

The Centre will play an important role in the country’s Vision 2020 strategy to diversify the economy and build employment opportunities for the Omani people and open their country to the world. It will also offer an additional choice to international and regional associations, organisations, institutions and corporations to grow business opportunities, impart knowledge in a destination that has serious delegate appeal.

IMEX is being held in Frankfurt from 22 to 24 May. The Centre will feature on the Oman Ministry of Tourism stand E620. For more information view www.omanconvention.com

About the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is located in the Hayy Al Ifran district only four kilometres from Muscat International Airport.

The design of the Centre will ensure a flow of the meetings space to suit the most discerning conference and exhibition organisers. It also incorporated expansive concourse areas to enable ease of large delegations with floor to ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens and water features.

The Centre will feature an elaborate tiered auditorium to seat 3,200 while the exhibition halls will feature 22,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space. Halls 1 and 2 will have a superior fit out, specialised acoustic treatment, advanced lighting and rigging requirements to act as a multi-purpose space for plenary sessions, concerts, performances, gala events on a larger scale of up to 10,000 seated, theatre-style.

The Centre will also include an additional 14 meeting rooms for 70-360 delegates, two well-appointed ballrooms to seat up to 2,360, VIP Pavilion, a spacious food-court and a multi-storey carpark with capacity for 4,000 vehicles.

The Precinct will provide the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and for the enjoyment of the community. These include a five star hotel linked to the convention centre, two four star, and a three star hotel and apartments with a combined total of 1,000 rooms. A business park, retail shopping mall surrounded by a nature reserve which will be a haven for Oman’s exotic birdlife, parklands and wadi (valley) park are also part of this picturesque precinct. http://www.omanconvention.com

About the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
AEG AEG Ogden is a joint venture between Australian interests and AEG Facilities of the United States.

AEG Ogden manages venues throughout the Asia Pacific region, including the Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Kuala Lumpur and Qatar convention centres and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (under construction), Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, five live theatres including Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre, the Perth Concert Hall and Subiaco Arts Centre, and a network of arenas including Sydney’s Allphones Arena, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, and the Perth Arena (currently under construction). www.aegogden.com

AEG, a subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, is the leading sports, entertainment and venue operator in the world. AEG Facilities, a stand-alone affiliate of AEG, owns, operates or consults with 100 of the industry’s pre-eminent venues worldwide, across five continents, and works in concert with affiliated AEG entities, including live event producer, AEG Live, AEG Global Partnerships and AEG Development to support the success of AEG venues across the globe. AEG owns, operates or provides services to venues including STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, Calif.), The Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.), Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (Los Angeles, Calif.), Citizens Business Bank Arena (Ontario, Calif.), Valley View Casino Center, (San Diego, Calif); Sprint Center (Kansas City, Mo.), XL Center and Rentschler Field (Hartford, Conn) The Rose Garden (Portland, Ore.), KeyArena (Seattle, Wash.), KFC YUM! Center (Louisville, Ky.), American Airlines Arena (Miami, Fla.), AT&T Center (San Antonio, Tx.), Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, N.C.), Prudential Center (Newark, N.J.), Target Center (Minneapolis, Minn.), Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, China), MastercardCenter (Beijing, China), The O2 Arena (London, England), O2 World (Berlin, Germany), O2 World Hamburg (Hamburg, Germany), Ahoy Arena (Rotterdam, Netherlands), Pernambuco Stadium (Recife, Brazil), Allphones Arena, (Sydney Aust), Globe Arenas (Stockholm, Sweden), Turk Telekom Arena (Istanbul, Turkey) and the Qatar National Convention Centre (Doha, Qatar). For more information, visit www.aegworldwide.com.

For more information contact:
Rochelle Uechtritz
Group Manager, Convention Sales Development
AEG Ogden