AEG Ogden to Operate New ICC Sydney

The Destination Sydney consortium, comprising AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, Capella Capital and Spotless Facilities Services, has been confirmed by the New South Wales Government as its preferred developer of the new, integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour.

AEG Ogden, a leading venue manager in the Asia Pacific region, will be the operator of the A$1.1 billion facility to be known as the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney).

AEG Ogden’s Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said the new venue, featuring waterfront facilities in a prime CBD location, would position Sydney as one of the world’s most desirable meeting destinations.

“Utilising our international operational and marketing experience and our global venue network, we plan on taking the meeting and events business to a new level through ICC Sydney,” he said.

Mr Donaghy, who will also assume the role as Chief Executive Officer of the new venue’s management company, said the ICC Sydney would include:

- Convention facility capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of over 12000 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

- A new ICC hotel complex with up to 900 rooms.

Destination Sydney will assume full responsibility of the project and site in December 2013 when construction of the new facility commences. The ICC Sydney will replace the existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The ICC Sydney is due for completion in December 2016. Up to 1,600 jobs will be created in the construction period.

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