Geoff Donaghy, ICC Sydney CEO and Group Director—Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC), stated that this survey reinforces the venue team’s dedication to delivering sustainable events through a best-practice approach to corporate social responsibility.
“This client survey builds on the results from our visitor survey released in February – both revealing the high demand to enhance delegate and attendee experiences with an integrated approach to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion,” Mr. Donaghy said.
Significantly, 88% of respondents believe sustainability, encompassing social impact and equality, is paramount in event practices. This sentiment resonates strongly within an industry increasingly focused on reducing waste, minimizing carbon footprints, and promoting ethical practices.
ICC Sydney’s approach to improving community engagement, environmental sustainability, and economic development supports clients as both strive for a net-zero future.
Together with its Darling Harbour Live partners, ICC Sydney’s team purchases 20% renewable energy through its energy contract. Combined with the onsite community-owned solar array, the venue uses 25% renewable energy.
The venue has been awarded the highest accolade, six stars, under the Green Building of Australia’s Green Star Communities certification. The U.S. Green Building Council rates Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). All environmental sustainability systems have been aligned with ISO14001 and EarthCheck criteria.
ICC Sydney promotes a culture of environmental conscientiousness through the ‘Switch It Off’ campaign. This initiative educates and encourages team members to turn off lights, air conditioning, and electrical appliances when not in use, reducing the venue’s energy footprint.
In 2023, ICC Sydney effectively diverted 65% of waste from landfills. Through collaboration with Sydney Water, ICC Sydney installed refill stations, saving more than 2.65 million plastic water bottles. Since opening, ICC Sydney has donated 34.6 tons of unserved food (equivalent to 98,857 meals) and 24.5 tons of goods to local charities, contributing to a sustainable circular economy.
ICC Sydney’s Accessible and Inclusive Events Guide ensures welcoming environments, reflecting the venue’s dedication to customer inclusivity and accessibility.
By prioritizing DE&I, ensuring a welcoming environment with step-free access, sensory-friendly rooms, braille signage, induction-loop hearing systems, non-denominational prayer rooms, a Changing Places facility, accessible toilets, and parking.
It is the first convention center to achieve Bronze Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI). It hosted the largest LGBTQIA+ Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference in the Southern Hemisphere. The management team promotes gender equity, with women holding 40% of leadership roles. The culturally diverse team speaks 82 languages.
Central to ICC Sydney’s mission is supporting Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The company added 11 new First Nations businesses to its supplier list and spent over $269,000 with these suppliers in the 2022-23 financial year. The Legacy program enables event organizers to engage with First Nations individuals and businesses.
Mr. Donaghy continued: “The industry survey, delivered in collaboration with Conference and Incentive Travel, conducted among event professionals based across the United Kingdom and Europe, underscores a profound shift in attitudes towards sustainability, highlighting it not merely as an option but as an essential commitment.”
Samantha Glass, ICC Sydney Director of Corporate Affairs, Communication, and Sustainability, reflected on the survey findings, sharing: “Looking forward, the survey indicates a strong imperative for event professionals to enhance communication on sustainability and social impact initiatives – initiatives that ICC Sydney has both the infrastructure and internal resources to support with.”
“Through our Legacy Program and resources such as the Accessible and Inclusive Events Guide and Sustainable Events Guide, we encourage our customers to embrace a more sustainable and inclusive future as together we strive for a net-zero, nature-positive future that has the potential to leave a positive impact on Sydney well beyond the conclusion of events,” Ms. Glass said.
