Sydney Showground (SS) has officially been named Australia’s ‘Best Event Venue, capacity more than 1,000’ after taking home the prestigious category at the 2021 -2022 Meeting and Events Australia (MEA) awards held on the Gold Coast. 

Judged over a 24-month period, the venue demonstrated its ability to adapt and evolve to the needs of the event industry and clients while contributing positively to the return of events in Australia.

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.

“It is a great honour and achievement to be named MEA’s 2021-2022 Best Event Venue, capacity more than 1000. It is a testament to our team’s passion and dedication to not only our venue but the wider Australian event industry,” Sydney Showground General Manager, Darryl Jeffrey said.

“As an organisation run by a not-for-profit business, the challenges faced by Sydney Showground during this time were substantial - we had to rethink our business strategy and find ways to secure our business’ future by working alongside clients to get events back up and running.”

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.

“It is through the pure determination of innovative leaders and staff that has seen the Australian event industry get back to where it is today. I congratulate all winners and finalists on continuing to deliver incredible events despite the challenges faced.” 

Sydney Showground Honour Roll

2023 Winner ‘Best Venue – Capacity more than 1,000’ MEA National Awards.

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