MESSAGE FROM PETER KING

Welcome to the latest edition of Eventful Thinking. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Peter King, Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS). The RAS own and operate Sydney Showground.

I'd like to take this opportunity to update you on some recent changes at Sydney Showground. It's with regret that I announce the recent departure of General Manager Event Sales, Kim-Laura Paterson. Kim-Laura was with Sydney Showground for seven years and was instrumental in leading the Business Development team and bringing many major events into our venues. We wish her every success with her new role.

However the show must go on and it is business as usual for Sydney Showground. I'm pleased to let you know that Tina Eggers will be heading up the Business Development team in the interim.

Tina joins Kim Seccombe, Event Planning & Delivery Manager, and Simon Lomas, Food & Beverage Manager, on the Sydney Showground management team.

Together, Tina, Kim, Simon and their respective teams provide our clients with the complete range of services to guarantee a successful event, from planning to bump out. For a list of contact details for key staff, click here.

With several large-scale events taking place over coming months, amidst the recent announcement of major redevelopment plans, it's truly an exciting time for all of us here at Sydney Showground, and for you - our clients and suppliers.

Please do not hesistate to get in touch with us should you have any queries.

Peter King

Chief Executive, Royal Agricultural Society NSW

SYDNEY SHOWGROUND SET TO DOUBLE IN SIZE

A plan to increase Sydney’s major international event space proposes that Sydney Showground be almost doubled in size to make way for more local conventions and exhibitions.

The plans, which are the key recommendations of a report by the State Government Events Corporation’s John O’Neill, are part of a strategy aiming to ensure Sydney remains competitive in the international and national events markets.

Sydney Showground’s current space of 21,600m² (pictured) would be increased to up to 40,000m². This would allow more domestic conventions and exhibitions.

Sydney Showground is excited about the proposed developments.

“Sydney Showground already has the expertise to host large-scale exhibitions, conventions and events, and we do so annually with events such as the Home & Giving Fair and Big Day Out.

“The proposed developments will double our space capacity creating a truly world-class, vibrant exhibition and convention site enabling us to offer so much more,” says Peter King, RAS NSW’s Chief Executive.

“We see this as great opportunity to work closely with Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the Government in a co-ordinated effort to implement the plan for the growth of Sydney Showground, in particular, but more broadly to allow Sydney to reap the economic benefit of this investment in quality facilities” says Mr King.

WIN $1500 HARVEY WORLD TRAVEL CREDIT

Simply click here to visit the Sydney Showground website and register your interest in receiving information and you're automatically in the draw. If you're our winner you'll have $1500 to spend with Harvey World Travel, choosing when and where you travel, where you stay and more.

Hurry - entries for this draw close on 31 March.

COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA CELEBRATE BEACH-STYLE

Sydney Olympic Park has a global reputation for excellence as a world-class sporting, major event, entertainment and exhibition precinct. Recently the Park has undergone a number of exciting new developments which have been further adding to the vibrancy and buzz of the precinct.

Several new food and entertainment locations have opened over recent months with more to come. Two new hotels are due to open later this year including Greater Sydney's only 5 star hotel, The Pullman.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia have been relocating some of their people to the world-class workplaces in the Park. To celebrate the move - they recently threw a beach party in Sydney Showground's Badgery Pavilion. The event (pictured) was attended by about 500 people who got into the beach theme as they marked a new beginning and a new home in Sydney Olympic Park.

INTRODUCING SYDNEY SHOWGROUND'S NEW EVENT PLANNERS

Sydney Showground is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Calder (left) to the role of Event Planner. Jessica joins the team from Christchurch, New Zealand, where she was previously employed by Vbase Venue Management as an Event and Conference Organiser. Jessica worked on a variety of well-known Kiwi events including the Small Business Expo, Air NZ Wine Awards and TRENZ.

Jessica joins Shannon Lloyd (right) who was recently promoted to Event Planner. Shannon has been with Sydney Showground for two and a half years and in that time has worked extensively on the Royal Easter Show - before taking over as Event Planner.

Our Event Planners look after the overall planning, including finalising of all set up details, catering requirements, financial arrangements and other operational matters such as security, cleaning and site requirements during the bump in and bump out process of your event. Shannon, Jessica and the team will work with you to ensure that your event runs smoothly from start to finish.

CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS AT SYDNEY SHOWGROUND

Although it's only March, it's never to early to start thinking about your next Christmas function!

Now is the ideal time to book your event to ensure that you don't miss out on the perfect venue.

Treat your team to the best catering in town at one of our diverse venues and you're guaranteed to see out the year in style.

The magnificent Clydesdale Room in a truly beautiful venue ideal for Christmas functions and cocktail parties. The ground level features four horse stables, with horses available for your event upon request. The spacious room on the mezzanine is framed by exposed timber beams and features great natural lighting along with a polished hardwood floor.

For more information on the Clydesdale Room, or our other venues which may be suitable for your Christmas party, call us today on 02 9704 1263 or email sales@sydneyshowground.com.au.