Sydney's AI events surge: ICC Sydney set to host 60 innovation-led gatherings
Meetings & Events Sydney is cementing the city's role as Australia's AI hub, with the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) hosting 60 AI-focused events this financial year. For hospitality and events professionals, this momentum means stronger delegate demand, higher-value programs, and deeper industry partnerships-all within a precinct built for scale.
Why Sydney is winning for AI events
Sydney combines financial capital, world-class talent, and reliable infrastructure with a dense network of universities, startups, and major tech players. Backed by the NSW Government and the city's growing innovation ecosystem, AI events here benefit from real industry engagement-not just keynote stages.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, highlighted the city's depth: a mix of tech companies, leading universities, and founders pushing AI forward. His view is simple-ICC Sydney sits where bright minds and emerging technologies meet, and the city is quickly becoming the place where future AI ideas are imagined and tested.
Tech Central to ICC Sydney: an innovation corridor
Business Events Sydney CEO, Amanda Lampe, notes that nearly half of Australia's AI companies are based in Sydney. The Tech Central precinct, stretching through to ICC Sydney, gives international delegates direct access to active labs, startups, and industry leaders-all within walking distance.
If you're curating programs for AI audiences, this corridor makes it easier to line up site visits, research showcases, and investor meetings in one trip. It's a practical advantage that converts interest into outcomes.
Talent pipeline: universities powering real outcomes
UTS Director of Entrepreneurship, Murray Hurps, sees students and early-stage founders already applying AI to real problems and new ventures. This wave of activity is lifting both the cultural and business value of the city-and ICC Sydney remains a strong platform to connect founders, researchers, and global partners.
Alongside UTS, the University of Sydney and UNSW lead AI research and education, while Sydney's finance sector continues to progress AI in fintech. Add global tech companies with active AI hubs, and you get a city where collaboration moves fast and stays practical.
ICC Sydney: built for high-impact programs
ICC Sydney CEO, Adam Mather-Brown, points to consistent investment in the venue's technology stack and internal capability. From immersive AV to flexible, interactive digital platforms, organisers get tools that support richer formats and cleaner delivery.
Through its Legacy Program, ICC Sydney connects clients with Sydney's innovation community-so events create value well beyond closing remarks. For teams running content-heavy programs, that means stronger partnerships, smarter matchmaking, and measurable outcomes.
What this means for event professionals
- Design formats that go beyond keynotes: live demos, founder showcases, and research spotlights benefit from ICC Sydney's AV and digital tools.
- Tap the Tech Central network for speakers, site visits, and investor roundtables. It's an easy way to add substance to your program.
- Use ICC Sydney's Legacy Program to connect with universities, startups, and industry specialists who can extend the impact of your event.
- Prioritise fintech and enterprise AI tracks-Sydney's finance and corporate sectors are actively adopting AI and open to collaboration.
- Build education into the agenda: practical workshops on AI tools for operations, marketing, and attendee experience perform well with cross-functional audiences.
The year ahead
With 60 AI-related events slated at ICC Sydney this financial year, the city is set to welcome global thinkers, researchers, and operators looking to test ideas and build partnerships. For planners, Sydney offers an environment where serious content meets serious capability.
For context on the city's innovation agenda, explore Investment NSW and the Tech Central precinct.
Upskill your team to deliver smarter AI-led events
If your hospitality or events team is building AI into operations or programming, explore practical training for your roles at Complete AI Training. Short, focused courses help teams improve content planning, attendee experience, and on-site workflows.
Bottom line: Sydney offers the network, talent, and venue capability to turn AI events into outcomes. ICC Sydney is where those plans get executed at scale.
Your membership also unlocks:
