Latest News

Events NSW invites you to take the Seven Bridges Walk, and look out for Breakfast on the Bridge in 2009.

Premier Nathan Rees, together with Events NSW Chairman John O’Neill AO, today launched the NSW Master Events Calendar, saying it would generate more than $500 million annually in direct economic impact for NSW.

Mr O’Neill said the Calendar, which is a framework and not a definitive list of all events held in NSW, is built around five recurring Anchor events held annually including three major festival seasons.

The three major festival seasons kick off in January with Vivacity. Vivacity brings together, under one banner, Sydney’s summer of events kicking off with the world famous New Year’s Eve Fireworks display on Sydney Harbour and ending with the biggest celebration of Chinese New Year outside of Asia.

“Vivid Sydney” will be launched in June and see the city transformed into a living canvas of music and light with the Opera House as its focal point.

“Crave Sydney” - to be held in October - is an international celebration of Sydney’s lifestyle, art, culture, food, wine and outdoor living.

An enhanced Autumn Racing Carnival and Australian Open Golf Championships, both of which will benefit from major event development efforts in collaboration with Events NSW, complete the five Anchor events.

“The NSW Master Events Calendar has a strong regional focus with some of our initial investments in the World Rally Championships, Tamworth Music Festival and Awards, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Dungog Film Festival and Corowa Autofest.”

Watch the Master Events Calendar Video

View the new interactive Master Events Calendar for Sydney & NSW

or

Download Media Release (PDF)

Download the Master Events Calendar for Sydney & NSW Brochure (PDF)

Download the Master Events Calendar for Sydney & NSW (PDF)

Sydney, Australia: The echo of cannon fire across Sydney harbour heralded the launch of the 2008 Australian Open at the historic Sydney landmark, Fort Denison.

This year’s championship will give golf lovers and sports fans a ‘Major Experience’ at Royal Sydney,
which will continue building the event’s ever- increasing status as one of the premier events in the
Asia Pacific region.

Golf Australia Director-Championships Trevor Herden said, “We have a solid foundation for the Open
and each year our aim is to create a bigger and better experience for players, sponsors and
spectators alike.

“The 2007 Open at The Australian was a great success, attracting more than 41,000 spectators to
watch four days of world class golf, culminating in Craig Parry’s three-under 69 finish to claim the
championship by one stroke.

We will be offering spectators a major experience from the minute they walk into Royal Sydney, right
through to the presentation ceremony. . All of this excitement will be set against the picture perfect
surroundings of a world class golf course providing an ideal theatre for the introduction of our
wonderful new brand.”

Download Media Release

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will reinforce its position as the world’s leading gay and
lesbian festival after securing a significant investment from Events NSW.

Events NSW Chief Executive Geoff Parmenter said he was looking forward to working with the
organisers New Mardi Gras to drive a strategic agenda of consolidation and growth, with the
common goal of positioning the event as the world’s premier gay and lesbian festival, and a
major economic benefit driver for Sydney.

“Events NSW have a real interest in ensuring this iconic event continues to thrive with an
enduring and sustainable business model.  Our investment is directed specifically to the
development of that platform.

“From humble beginnings the Mardi Gras, particularly the street parade, has evolved into one of
the biggest events on the Australian events calendar.

“It has been estimated that the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras generates more than $30 million of
direct economic benefit for New South Wales each year, and it has become an international
showcase of Sydney’s diversity.

“In support of the agreement we will develop national and international marketing strategies in
conjunction with Tourism New South Wales to ensure tourism visitation is maximised,” Mr
Parmenter said.

Download Media Release

Img Src: (FlickR) Foraggio Fotographics

FUTURE OF TAMWORTH’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN GOOD HANDS

Building on the rich 37-year history of an event that has grown to become the largest festival in the Southern Hemisphere, representatives from Events NSW, Tamworth Regional Council, Tourism Tamworth and the Country Music Association of Australia have announced a strategic long‐term partnership in support of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The partnership involves a significant investment from Events NSW which will match the annual contributions to the event from Tamworth Regional Council, Tourism Tamworth Ltd and the Country Music Association of Australia, with funding specifically targeted and dependent on the event’s ability to cultivate economic, marketing and community benefits.

The focus of Events NSW is to take advantage of the strengths of the iconic festival, which annually contributes $50 million to the local economy and attracts over 50,000 people to Tamworth each year.

The partnership marks a major move forward in assuring the long-term future of the Country Music Capital’s flagship event, and developing the festival on an international scale.

Image: Tourism Tamworth Ltd / Bob King Photography

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP TO PUT NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES ON THE MAP

Events NSW and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) have announced the prestigious FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) World Rally Championship will be staged biennially in the NSW Northern Rivers region, beginning next year and continuing until 2017.

The first event will be Repco Rally Australia 2009, taking place in early September next year at Kyogle.

The FIA World Rally Championship - the highest profile four-wheeled motor sport championship after the Formula One – is set to generate more than $100 million towards the state-wide economy over the duration of the arrangement, and will drive tourism, create jobs and deliver major economic benefits to the community at a local level.

Rally Australia has been previously held in Perth, and following tough competition from other states to host the event this time around, Events NSW is excited to have secured the event for regional New South Wales.

With more than 816 million people in 180 countries watching the televised World Rally event last year, the staging of the Championship locally will also provide a unique platform to showcase the spectacular Northern New South Wales region to the rest of the world.

The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced it will update its constitution and change its name to Business Events Sydney as part of its continuing drive to win more business meetings for the harbour city.

SCVB members voted in favour of the changes, effective September 1, at an extraordinary general meeting held in Sydney yesterday.

The change to the constitution clears the way for Events NSW’s CEO Geoff Parmenter and Chairman John O’Neill to be appointed to the Board, and creates provision for four new independent directors.

The process to appoint the independent directors is now underway, with former Board Chairman Col Hughes appointed as an interim Chairman to the Board.  Meanwhile, three member-elected directors will remain on the Board: Bryan Holliday, Todd Coates and Rodger Powell.

Speaking at the EGM, SCVB Managing Director Jon Hutchison told members that the changes would build on the organisation’s new alliance with Events NSW and help provide the flexibility required to reach its goal of making Sydney one of the world’s top ten conference destinations.

Mr Hutchison said the name Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau did not accurately reflect the organisation’s activities.

“Business Events Sydney better describes what the SCVB is all about – securing a wide range of business events for our city, from association congresses to corporate meetings and incentives,” Mr Hutchison said.

Mr Hutchison also praised the New South Wales Government for its commitment to building events, including yesterday’s announcement of the establishment of a new Brand Sydney Project to create an overriding brand for the city.

Image: Tourism Australia Copyright

Sydney will be given a new “brand” in a bid to drive business growth, investment, innovation, arts, lifestyle, events, education and tourism, Premier Morris Iemma announced today.

Mr Iemma said the multi-dimensional “city brand” would assist business and better deliver Sydney to the world.

“Developing a Brand Sydney is not just about logos and tag lines, it’s about capturing the stature, strengths and spirit of this great global city,” Mr Iemma said.

“The new brand will create an image and reputation for Sydney that will differentiate it from other cities around the world.

“Our city has a reputation as a global financial centre with a competitive business sector and is a leader in creativity and innovation.

“The new brand will build on Sydney’s already strong reputation overseas and set our industries apart from their competitors.

“Sydney needs to tell its story better to the rest of the world.

“People are clearly aware that we are a welcoming city with a beautiful harbour and relaxed lifestyle and now we need to tell them more about how well we perform in other areas such as education, finance and innovation.

“The Sydney brand will deliver a consistent message to international audiences that will define Sydney as a leader in business, culture, tourism, events and education.”

Mr Iemma said Brand Sydney would build on work to attract significant projects and major events, showcasing Sydney’s role as a business hub in the Asia Pacific and promoting the State as a great place to do business.

“In March, Sydney was voted the number one city brand in the world in the annual Anholt City Brands Index for the second year in a row,” Mr Iemma said.

“This new brand will build on our success as a global city that is an excellent location for business, a host city for world-class events and a number one destination for visitors.”

A Brand Sydney Project has been established to develop a contemporary city brand with John O’Neill AO appointed as independent Chair of the Steering Committee.

Image: Tourism Australia Copyright

Premier Morris Iemma today announced Carla Zampatti as the 2008 Australian Fashion Laureate, coinciding with the start of the inaugural Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival.

Mr Iemma said the prestigious Australian Fashion Laureate was the highest honour awarded by the Australian fashion industry.

“The Australian Fashion Laureate recognises outstanding creative or intellectual achievement in the Australian fashion industry; a person who has and continues to make a significant contribution to the Australian fashion industry,” Mr Iemma said.

“Carla Zampatti is one of Australia’s most celebrated and iconic designers and NSW is honoured to be able to celebrate her illustrious career.

“Carla is a worthy recipient of the Laureate which celebrates the important role played by fashion in the cultural fabric of New South Wales.

“The Laureate reflects the global standing of the Australian fashion industry and its contribution to our economy, creativity and lifestyle,” he said.

Since launching her first collection in 1965 and opening her first retail boutique in Sydney in 1972, Carla Zampatti has built a successful retail empire with 30 stores nationwide.

She serves on several boards and is an active supporter of many charities.

“To be recognised for outstanding achievement by the Australian fashion industry is an incredible honour and I feel very humbled to be here today accepting this award,” Ms Zampatti said.

“I would like to thank all of those involved, including the Iemma Government through Events NSW and IMG Fashion, for their continued support of the Australian fashion industry.”

Simon Lock, Managing Director of IMG Fashion Asia Pacific, said Ms Zampatti was a shining light in the Australian fashion industry.

“Carla has achieved many milestones over the past 30 years, and continues to be an incredible mentor to our industry,” Mr Lock said.

Events New South Wales and IMG have extended their relationship to secure Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney from 2009-2013, with an option to extend to 2014 and 2015.

Image: NSW Premier Morris Iemma and Fashion Designer Carla Zampatti winner of the Australian Fashion Laureate 2008 pose with models in the Heritage Ballroom at the Westin Sydney on August 11, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)