Australian Events Industry Collective, Sydney (2026)

08/05/2026

The Australian Events Industry Collective was proud to support and attend the launch of Committee for Sydney’s Beyond the Postcard report.

It was fantastic to reconnect with so many passionate city shapers, cultural leaders and industry colleagues discussing how Sydney can better tell its full story to the world.

Sydney is far more than its postcard icons. Our events, cultural diversity, innovation precincts and communities are what truly bring the city to life and create meaningful economic and social impact.

A strong reminder that events are not just moments in time. They are part of how global cities build identity, connection and opportunity.

17/02/2026

Yesterday the Australian Events Industry Collective (AEIC) was proud to see AEIC’s Derrin Brown and Katrina de Jersey on the panel for an ICMS masterclass at the Castle in Manly: **Behind the Big Moments: Risk, Power, and Public Reality**.

Alongside Fergus Linehan and Craig Sheridan APM, the conversation went where it should: beneath the big moments people see, and into the work that makes them possible. Governance, stakeholder dynamics, public accountability, risk discipline, and the calm decision-making that keeps live experiences safe, meaningful and deliverable.

At AEIC, we believe in giving back to education and investing in our industry. If we want a stronger, safer, more sustainable events sector, we have to open doors, share real lessons, and support emerging leaders with experience, not just theory.

The students were the standout. Their questions were sharp, specific, and practical. They pushed past the highlight reel and into the reality of delivery: who holds decision rights, how risk is managed when priorities collide, and what “public reality” looks like when conditions shift in real time.

A few reflections we’re taking forward:

Risk is not a form. It’s a mindset.
Trust is infrastructure. Without it, no plan survives contact with reality.
Clarity scales. Complexity does not.

Thank you to Janene Wardrop MEM and the ICMS team for the invitation and for creating space for honest conversations with the next wave of sport, culture and live events leaders.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year, Australia’s Events Industry Community.

If 2025 reminded us of anything, it is that events do not “just happen”. They are built by people who plan hard, adapt fast, and deliver under pressure, often with the kind of calm professionalism that should come with a medal and a decent sleep in.

From community celebrations and cultural festivals to conferences, touring, sport and major events, thank you for everything you did this year to keep Australia connected.

As we step into 2026, we are backing a year of stronger collaboration, safer and fairer workplaces, better planning horizons, and a clearer national understanding that events are essential infrastructure for community, culture and the visitor economy.

From all of us at the Australian Events Industry Collective (AEIC), we wish you and your teams a safe, successful and hopeful 2026.

03/11/2025

Community. Culture. Collaboration.

The Cumberland Diwali Festival was a brilliant example of what happens when creative producers, local government, and event professionals come together to celebrate community through culture.

Over two vibrant days, Cumberland Council Events Team and NM Live delivered a joyful festival filled with light, music, food, and connection, showcasing the best of Western Sydney’s cultural diversity and creative energy.

Events like this remind us of the strength and resilience of Australia’s events industry, and the important work happening at street level — where creativity meets community and where lasting impact is made.

Congratulations to everyone involved for creating such an inspiring celebration of light and belonging.

30/10/2025

What an inspiring day at the NEON Global Forum, where creativity, collaboration and innovation came together to shape the future of Australia’s night-time economy. 🌙✨

Together with Katrina de Jersey and Derrin Brown, we joined industry leaders Janene Wardrop, Wai Yin, and Victoria Johnson, and caught up with the teams from Inner West Council, Liverpool Council, the City of Canterbury Bankstown and Lakemba Nights, plus AV1 — all driving community activation and cultural vibrancy across Greater Sydney.

The Data After Dark session was a highlight, showing how shared insights and collaboration between government and industry can transform the way we design safer, more connected and creative places. We also loved hearing from international experts Yoshihito Kamada, Dr Alessio Kolioulis, and Dr Andreina Seijas on how cities around the world are reimagining life after dark.

A huge thanks to the NSW Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner for leading these important conversations and championing the role of the events industry in shaping our shared cultural and economic future.

29/10/2025

We’re proud to celebrate two of our own, Derrin Brown and Katrina de Jersey, both recognised among the 100 Most Influential People in the Eventex Global Events Industry Index for 2025.

This recognition shines a light on the strength, creativity and leadership emerging from Australia’s vibrant events industry, from global festivals to local community activations.

Derrin and Katrina’s ongoing contributions, both at home and internationally, remind us that events are more than moments, they’re platforms for connection, innovation and cultural storytelling.

Congratulations to both for representing the Australian events community on the world stage.

Cast your vote: https://lnkd.in/g8Jh4Mdz

16/10/2025

What an incredible few days for our industry at the Australian Event Awards and Symposium in beautiful Coffs Harbour.

The Australian Events Industry Collective (AEIC) was proud to be part of this gathering of event professionals, producers, creatives, suppliers and partners - all coming together to share ideas, celebrate achievements and strengthen the sense of community that makes our industry so unique.

A special highlight was the panel Designing for Legacy: Transforming Events into Long Term Cultural Infrastructure, featuring AEIC’s Derrin Brown alongside Katrina de Jersey, Iain Morrison, Chris Toward and Shane Buzza. The discussion explored how events can become more than one-off spectacles — how they can evolve into lasting cultural assets that enrich communities and create meaningful legacy.

From NOOR Riyadh to Tomorrowland, the Bathurst 1000 to Ramadan Nights, The Long Walk to Red Bull X Fighters, the examples shared reminded us that great events don’t just entertain - they inspire, connect, and endure.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners, and a huge thank you to the team behind the Australian Event Awards for bringing us all together once again.

Here’s to continuing to build an industry that celebrates creativity, connection and legacy.

12/10/2025

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸.

From sunrise yoga sessions in Sydney parks to international mining conferences in Perth, boardroom strategy meetings to community festivals across regional Australia. Events are the invisible infrastructure that connects our communities, drives our economy, and shapes our cultural identity.

Yet when people think "Events Industry," they often picture Wedding Planners and Party Organisers, NOT Trade Shows or Conferences, let alone sports stadiums. The reality is far more complex and economically powerful.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁? Any planned gathering of people with a specific purpose, timeframe, and intended outcome. Whether it's a product launch reaching 50 attendees or a music festival drawing 50,000+, each represents a sophisticated orchestration of logistics, creativity, and human psychology.

The scope reveals our industry's true breadth:

✦ Business events: conferences, meetings, trade exhibitions, corporate functions
✦ Social celebrations: weddings, anniversaries, private milestone events
✦ Cultural gatherings: Vivid Sydney, Dark M**o, multicultural festivals, Indigenous ceremonies
✦ Sporting competitions: Australian Open, F1 Grand Prix, AFL Grand Final, community sports
✦ Entertainment experiences: Sydney Festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest, theatre productions, live performances, and weekly pub trivia nights

Behind each event operates an ecosystem of professionals currently classified under ANZSCO code 1493 - Conference and Event Organisers. But the workforce extends far beyond traditional planners to include venue managers, audio-visual technicians, catering specialists, security coordinators, marketing strategists, and creative producers.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:

Business events alone generate $20.9 billion annually for the Australian economy. And that's just one sector of the wider Events Industry - the total economic impact, while not fully measured, is significantly higher. The Events Industry doesn't just facilitate gatherings - it creates opportunities for communities to come together, strengthens social bonds, and celebrates diverse cultures across our nation.

Every conference spawns new partnerships. Every festival builds local pride. Every corporate gathering drives strategic decisions that ripple through entire industries.

We're not just event organisers - we're experience architects, community builders, and economic catalysts working behind the scenes to make meaningful connections happen.

🤔 What Australian event has transformed your professional perspective in the last 12 months? Share your story below and let's showcase the power of our industry! 👇

11/10/2025

💡 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗢𝗜: 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 - 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆'𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

"Mate, our festival brought the community together!"
"The conference had ripper networking!"
"Everyone walked away buzzing!"

Sound familiar? While these yarns matter, they don't secure funding or government support. Here's where the data comes in. 👇

NSW's Data after Dark initiative just dropped some massive numbers: our night-time economy is worth $102 billion annually and employs one-fifth of NSW workers! 🌃

But here's the real beauty: When we expand this data-driven approach beyond just nighttime hours, the potential goes through the roof. Check out Vivid Sydney 2024:

✨ 3.4 million visitors
📈 47% boost in nighttime spending
🛍️ 32% lift in daytime retail
🏨 Visitors staying an extra 2.3 nights
💪 Over 2,500 local businesses getting a leg up

This is what happens when we measure what truly matters - not just during the night, not just within venues, but across entire precincts and the complete event lifecycle. The nighttime economy is just the beginning, mate!

At the Australian Events Industry Collective, we're backing this evolution all the way. Because when you can prove your total economic impact, you're not just running events - you're driving proper economic growth.

🤔 Event legends: What data would give your stakeholder convos more grunt? Ready to show off your event's true round-the-clock economic impact?

Chuck your thoughts in the comments! 👇

26/09/2025

Yesterday, the Australian Events Industry Collective IndustryCollective (AEIC, working to uniting the entire events industry), joined the NSW Treasury Art of Tax Reform Summit. This was a vital conversation on how policy shapes Australia’s creative and cultural future. It was so clear that this was not an ending, but the beginning. And there was a powerful sense that we must work together to take on the challenges we face as a community.

The pressures are real: cost-of-living challenges, a property crunch, and disruptive technology. Grants come and go, but structural tools like tax reform endure.

Long-term policy must recognise culture, not just as entertainment, but as a driver of belonging, well-being and economic success.

AEIC was proud to stand with artists, producers, and cultural leaders from Create NSW to the Sydney Opera House House, Tim Minchin , WilliamBarton, Craig McMaster, Jenny Wong of CPA Australia, Dean Ormston of APRA AMCOS, Greg Khoury of Century Events, Artists, Diversity Arts Australia and major firms like KPMG Australia, PwC Australia and King & Wood Mallesons and many more.

Together, we must aim higher than “business as usual” and build frameworks future generations will thank us for.

Tim Minchin closed with a reminder of why boldness matters: sitting in the Opera House — a project bean-counters could never have justified — shows us the power of imagination.

Reach out to the Australian Events Industry Collective for our collective North Star.

21/09/2025

The Australian Events Industry Collective (AEIC) is proud to take part in the NSW Art of Tax Reform Summit this September.

Our CEO Derrin Brown and Economist Christopher Seth will be there flying the flag for the events and creative industries, advocating for tax incentives, philanthropy reforms, and simplified compliance that actually work for festivals, live music, business events, and small producers.

Australia’s live events sector isn’t just entertainment, it’s a powerhouse for jobs, tourism, cultural vitality, and economic growth. Yet too often, our voices are missing in tax reform discussions. That’s why AEIC is stepping up to make sure we’re heard.

We’re here to spark critical thinking, push for innovative solutions, and build policies that empower event professionals while delivering long-term benefits to communities across Australia.

It’s time to unlock the full value of our industry. Join us in championing the future of events, festivals, and the creative economy.

Australian Events Industry Collective

08/05/2026

17/02/2026

31/12/2025

03/11/2025

30/10/2025

29/10/2025

16/10/2025

12/10/2025

11/10/2025

26/09/2025

21/09/2025

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