Sydney Showground (SS) has been named as the 2021 -2022 Meeting and Events Australia (MEA) NSW State winner for Best Event Venue, capacity more than 1,000 at an awards function held in Sydney last night.

Known for delivering innovative experiences, the venue was judged against a rigorous criterion which delved into the business’ operational and event planning, recent challenges, contribution to the industry and venue sustainability from January 2021 – December 2022.

Over the qualifying period, Sydney Showground excelled in a range of areas, including the execution of the 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show, its covid support model for event planners, and the management of staffing and its broader business throughout the pandemic.

“2021 – 2022 was an incredibly challenging time for the Australian event industry, and as an event venue run by a not-for-profit organisation, adaptation and collaboration were vital to us,” Director of Sales & Marketing Andrew Roberts said.

“During this period, we had to rethink our business strategy, how we utilised staff and supported our clients. For us, it was about ensuring the future of our business and working hand in hand with our clients to overcome challenges and do our part to get the event industry back up and running.

“To be recognised by our industry and peers for all of that hard work is a tremendous honour.”

To secure its future, Sydney Showground successfully revisited its business strategy in 2021 to focus on viable contracts such as film and Government leasing while also building a ‘covid support’ document that supported clients during uncertain times.

In addition, the venue hosted the 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show, which was the largest ticketed event in the world to take place at the time, working side by side with its parent company, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, to deliver a safe and successful event that led the way for many other organisers post-pandemic.

As a State Winner, Sydney Showground will now go on to compete against other states in its category which will be announced and presented at the National Awards Dinner on 8^th June 2023.

For more information about Sydney Showground or to plan your next event, please visit the website.

Media Contact:

Nicola Dalby

Manager - Communications and Public Relations

M: 0434 579 906

T: (02) 9704 104

E: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au

Sydney Showground Honour Roll

2023 Winner 'Best Venue - Capacity more than 1,000' MEA State Final

2022 Winner' Best Venue Team' Exhibitions & Events Association of Australia  

2022 Finalist' Best Sustainability Initiative' Exhibitions & Events Association of Australia  

2018 Winner' Best Achievement in Venue Management' Australian Event Awards

2017 Winner' Best Banqueting & Catering' MEA National Award

2016 Winner' Corporate Social Responsibility MEA National Award   

2016 Winner' Banqueting & Catering' MEA National Award  

2016 Winner' Banqueting & Catering' MEA State Final  

2016 Winner' Best Achievement in Venue Management' Australian Event Awards

2015 & 2016 Voted by fans as 'Best AFL Venue for Fan Experience'

2015 Winner' Best Venue Team' EEAA Awards