Darling Harbour dominates 2013 Australian Event Awards

SYDNEY - Sydney’s premier celebration precinct Darling Harbour has dominated the honours at the 2013 Australian Events Awards this week, with Vivid Sydney 2013 winning Event of the Year and the Sydney Convention and Entertainment Centre named as Best Venue for the third time.

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority CEO Catherine Gallagher today congratulated all event category winners and nominees from both the Darling Harbour and The Rocks precincts, including:

· The Rocks Windmill: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority  
· 18th Biennale of Sydney: All Our Relations
· Australian Tourism Exchange Welcome Event 2013; Belle-Laide Events
· Ford Go Further at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show; Imagination.

“Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority partnered with Destination NSW to extend Vivid Sydney from The Rocks into Darling Harbour for the first time in 2013. The centrepiece of Vivid Sydney Darling Harbour was the internationally acclaimed spectacular water theatre show ‘Aquatique’.

“The Authority worked closely with its Darling Harbour Alliance Partners, Harbourside Shopping Centre, Cockle Bay Wharf, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Quarter, Imax and the Merlin Group to spread the Vivid Light footprint throughout the entire precinct.

“This contributed greatly to the success of this terrific event which generated over 1.3 million people movements over the 18 nights.”

Another Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority event, The Rocks Windmill, brought to life the rich history and cultural heritage of Sydney’s iconic precinct The Rocks.

Inspired by The Rocks’ colonial windmill era, The Rocks Windmill project featured theatre and screenings, visual arts and interactive installations, workshops and historical tours, all designed to entertain and educate visitors on The Rocks’ heritage and natural environment.

“Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority’s precincts of The Rocks and Darling Harbour contribute over $1.2 billion to the visitor economy in NSW, with public events and cultural festivals contributing $162 million annually to the State,” said Ms Gallagher. “I am thrilled that these outstanding events were showcased to a national and international audience at these prestigious awards. This recognition shows The Rocks and Darling Harbour can attract, host and deliver extraordinary events and services. It is a huge vote of confidence in organisations and businesses which continue to provide amazing programs to Sydneysiders and national and overseas visitors.

“These make an enormous contribution to the economic benefit of New South Wales.”

Sourced: TravelDailyNews