The events industry has proven its ability to be a major force for good over the past few years, first by coming together to support the Covid-19 healthcare effort and then by assisting in humanitarian initiatives to help Ukrainian refugees. Convention and exhibition centers, in particular, have played a big role in these efforts by offering their physical spaces when needed.
In recent years, convention centers have also been at the forefront of reconciliation efforts — another important, if less widely publicized, initiative whereby governments and organizations in countries like Australia, Canada, and the US are working to recognize, foster relationships with, and work with the Indigenous communities whose land was colonized, as well as educate non-Indigenous people about Indigenous cultures and traditions.
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in Australia has been at the forefront of the events industry's reconciliation efforts in the country, and although there is still work to be done all around the world, the convention center’s progress sets a strong example for other venues and event organizations looking to make similar commitments.
XLIVE sat down with ICC Sydney’s CEO Geoff Donaghy to discuss the convention center’s reconciliation efforts in Australia and the role the exhibitions industry as a whole can play in this important work.
XLIVE: When did ICC Sydney begin its reconciliation efforts?
Geoff Donaghy: ICC Sydney began community engagement ahead of its December 2016 opening and formally launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan in 2018. ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to commit to a Reconciliation Action Plan and followed this with its second Reconciliation Action Plan that was launched on 1 March 2022. This next phase of work continues to build respect of, relationships with, and opportunities for Australia’s First Nations people.
XL: In general, what role do convention centers have to play in national reconciliation efforts? What is the importance of their involvement?
GD: Convention centres are in a unique position being landmark locations in their respective cities and places that can serve to connect both Australian and international attendees to the history and culture of the traditional custodians of the land the venue stands on. They truly are a global stage on which to convey important information – whether through conference or event programming or across the digital communication screens found throughout the venue and surrounding precinct.
ICC Sydney is proud to have presented its second Reconciliation Action Plan, celebrating and acknowledging the cultures and heritage of the First Australians.
As an iconic destination, which stands and operates on the traditional lands of the Gadigal clan of the Eora Nation, ICC Sydney has a unique opportunity to foster and promote Reconciliation.
XL: What are some of the most important steps that ICC Sydney has taken to promote reconciliation?
GD: We are committed to meaningful engagement with First Nations communities and presenting First Nations culture and stories to the many thousands of visitors walking through our doors each year. Since opening its doors in December 2016, ICC Sydney has progressed a number of initiatives and partnerships with First Nations communities and organisations including:
- Celebrating First Nations culture through Gadigal language welcome messages on entry to the venue and artwork through its digital screens by Boomali Cooperative artist Jeffrey Samuels.
- Partnering with Eora College and TAFE NSW to deliver a pre-employment program for First Nations hospitality students.
- Engaging with Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) to connect events with Welcome to Country services, including a digital presentation which can be included into virtual events reaching a broader remote audience.
- Developing a network of key stakeholders to advise and engage with including Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative, Dreamtime SouthernX, KARI Foundation, The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Reconciliation Australia and Supply Nation.
- Identifying First Australians as a key focus of ICC Sydney’s event Legacy Program, connecting clients and events with authentic experiences and First Nations businesses, community groups and entrepreneurs.
XL: How do you promote education and cultural awareness with international visitors as well as domestic ones?
GD: ICC Sydney proudly developed its Legacy Program, aimed at providing event organisers with information and contacts to reduce the environmental impact of events while making a positive social impact within the Sydney community — all while enriching the experience of attendees at events.
ICC Sydney encourages event organisers to activate authentic, cultural experiences at your event. Recognise and celebrate the culture and customs of the First Nations through their events for both local and international attendees, including:
- Cultural acknowledgments including Welcome to Country
- Indigenous food and produce selections that are championed in ICC Sydney’s menu collection
- Performance and art experiences to inspire attendees embedded into an event program
- Cultural experiences and tours to educate and connect delegates with the community and country
- ICC Sydney’s partnership with Supply Nation, to engage genuine First Nations businesses to supply event needs
XL: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced/are facing along the way?
GD: ICC Sydney’s leadership established its values early on and by 2018 had launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan. The path to Reconciliation, we have learned, is a journey and not a sprint. Working with First Nations partners and advisors has helped us to gain a deeper understanding of the unique heritage of the traditional custodians of Gadigal Country as they provide guidance on the implementation of associated activities and initiatives.
Reconciliation is everyone’s business — launching our second Reconciliation Action Plan, ICC Sydney’s reconciliation champions under the guidance of Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Chair, Samantha Glass have ensured that ICC Sydney Reconciliation Action Plan deliverables are a shared responsibility of all the venue’s team members.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the venue’s greatest challenge since its inception, as many of our First Nations team members who were employed on a casual basis were impacted by the effect of the restrictions on gatherings and the events industry (approximately 75% of ICC Sydney’s workforce was employed on a casual basis, pre-COVID). We have since addressed this challenge through the creation of permanent full time and permanent part time contracts to ensure greater connection.
XL: What is your goal/vision for the future? What do you/your partner organizations hope these efforts will lead to several years down the line?
GD: At ICC Sydney, we believe that together we can achieve the extraordinary. Our vision for reconciliation is one where collaboration and partnership fosters greater inclusion and recognition for Australia’s First Peoples, across all segments of Australia’s vibrant community.
Our goal is to be an employer of choice for the First Nations community of Sydney, where culture is better understood and team members feel included and supported.