MEDIA FACT SHEET | DESTINATION NSW ATE 2017

AUSTRALIA’S EVENTS CAPITAL The Sydney & New South Wales Events Calendar, developed by Destination NSW, outlines an outstanding selection of world-class experiences guaranteed to keep the State front-of-mind for visitors.

Since 2011, the NSW Government has secured 485 events (January 2017) that have generated $3 billion in intrastate, interstate and international visitor spend in NSW as well as providing national and international exposure and promotion of the State.

According to the International and National Visitor surveys to year end December 2016, NSW welcomed more than 33.2 million international and domestic visitors, who stayed 183.3 million nights.

AWARD-WINNING EVENTS

Vivid Sydney is the city’s must-see annual Winter event. Owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney is the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, staged over 23 nights from 26 May to 17 June. The festival continues to win prestigious tourism and events awards; it has previously won the country’s Best Tourism Event Awards and is a major contributor to the NSW economy with 2.31 million attendees in 2016, delivering a record $110 million in overnight visitor expenditure to NSW last year. More than 183,000 international and domestic overnight visitors specifically visited Sydney to enjoy Vivid Sydney in 2016, an increase of 64 per cent on 2015.

Vivid Sydney and Destination NSW were recently recognised by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), receiving 12 accolades at the 2016 IFEA Pinnacle Awards, winning Gold in the Grand Pinnacle Category. The IFEA Pinnacle Awards recognise the outstanding accomplishments and high quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials that are produced for festivals and events around the world.

NSW is also Australia’s undisputed home of major events and festivals, having won the IFEA World Festival and Event City award for seven consecutive years.

TOP: NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS, SYDNEY BOTTOM: SCULPTURE BY THE SEA, BONDI - TAMARAMA

INVESTMENT PLEDGE SUPPORTS REGIONAL EVENTS

Since it was established in 1997, Destination NSW’s Regional Flagship Events Program has supported 271 individual events across Regional NSW. The program identifies and supports events in Regional NSW that have the potential to act as ‘cornerstone’, or Flagship, tourism events for their area by attracting overnight visitation and delivering long term benefits to their region.

It is the umbrella title for the following funds:

• Incubator Event Fund

• Flagship Event Fund (formerly known as Regional Flagship Events Program)

• Event Development Fund

The three funds of the Regional Flagship Events Program are open to events held in the six Destination Network regions that meet the relevant eligibility criteria.

Regional Flagship Events such as the Boggabri Drovers Campfire Weekend, The Riverboats Music Festival, the Australian Longboard Surfing Championships, the Canowindra Balloon Challenge, Batlow Cider Fest, Bathurst Motor Festival and Ultra-Trail Australia all attract visitors, create local jobs and boost regional economies through tourism. Regional events are vital in helping the NSW Government achieve its goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to the state by 2020. Visitor expenditure in regional NSW was worth more than $12 billion in the year ending December 2014.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2017 - JULY 2018

JUNE

Holden State of Origin ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park: Rugby League’s greatest rivals meet in Sydney - the NSW Blues play the QLD Maroons.

Sydney Film Festival Various locations across Sydney: A showcase of the best in cinema from across Australia and around the globe. More than 190 films screen from over 50 countries in an inspiring collection of features, documentaries, and short films.

June Winter Test Series - Qantas Wallabies v Scotland Allianz Stadium, Moore Park: There’s plenty of on-field rugby and off-field family fun and activities.

JULY

Arsenal FC in Sydney ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park: One of the world’s most iconic football clubs takes on Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers in two matches.

Australian Surf Festival Tweed Coast: See hundreds of top surfers compete for the Australian Champion title.

AUGUST

Bledisloe Cup - Qantas Wallabies v All Blacks ANZ Stadium: The much anticipated clash between Australia’s Wallabies and New Zealand’s All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup.

My Fair Lady: This new production of Lerner and Lowe’s original 1956 Broadway show is directed by world-renowned actor, Julie Andrews. For a strictly limited season at The Capitol Theatre.

SEPTEMBER

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Sydney Lyric Theatre: This sensational Broadway show tells the story of one of the most successful solo artists in pop music.

Sydney Running Festival Various Sydney locations: The festival attracts around 36,000 participants and has been awarded a prestigious silver label from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Each event takes participants over the Sydney Harbour Bridge; two events finish at the Sydney Opera House.

Deni Ute Muster Deniliquin: This award-winning regional event celebrates the iconic ‘ute’, a typical Australian pick-up truck. The two-day festival attracts all ages, with live music featuring a stellar line-up of international and Australian artists, ute-driving competitions, a bull-ride spectacular and more.

2017 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Week, Sydney: Be in Sydney to witness Australia’s biggest and most entertaining sporting spectacle at Sydney Olympic Park.

OCTOBER

World Polo Championship Sydney Polo Club, Windsor: Eight teams from around the world will compete for the title of world champion.

Sculpture by the Sea Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach: Returning to the spectacular coastal walkway, this popular free outdoor art event transforms the path into a 2km-long temporary sculpture park featuring more than 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the globe.

PARKES ELVIS FESTIVAL VIVID SYDNEY 2016

Taste Riverina Various locations in the Riverina: Enjoy a month-long ‘menu of events’ that celebrates the year’s harvest, showcasing food, wine, beer and agricultural produce and experiences.

Kidtopia Parramatta Park: A festival for Sydney families and visitors that celebrates music, food, education and fun for all the family.

Orange Wine Festival Orange: Experience the rich and diverse wine and food culture of Orange in Central NSW. Known for its fine cool-climate wines and wide range of gourmet produce, Orange is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious short break from Sydney.

NOVEMBER

Muriel’s Wedding – The Musical Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay: In this highly-anticipated world premiere, the iconic Australian film is set to become a laugh-out-loud musical sensation.

Ballet Under the Stars Western Sydney: Australian Ballet will stage Swan Lake as a free community event at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.

ARIA Week and Awards Sydney: The best new artists and ground-breaking music industry events plus annual awards event celebrating the best of Australian music.

Emirates Australian Open of Golf Australian Golf Club, Rosebery: The world’s best golfers battle it out at The Royal Sydney Golf Club for the most prized trophy in Australian golf.

Coates Hire Newcastle 500: Drivers push the limits at the season’s grand finale. Don’t miss a moment of the action as Ford, Holden, Nissan, Volvo and Erebus Motorsport V8 go head to head at the Championship showdown.

Sydney International Art Series – Rembrandt and the Dutch golden age: masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum Art Gallery of NSW: The first exhibition at the Gallery devoted to the greatest Dutch painters of the 17th century and the flourishing artistic culture of the time.

Kennards Hire Rally Australia Coffs Coast: The final stage of the FIA World Rally Championship, an epic competition where some of the world’s greatest drivers battle it out in tough and rugged terrain.

DECEMBER

L’Étape Australia by Le Tour de France Snowy Mountains: For the second time, Le Tour de France will host an event in Australia when the L’Étape Australia by Le Tour de France comes to the NSW Snowy Mountains. Run under professional conditions for amateurs, the event will feature closed roads, a challenging route, a Sprint and a King of the Mountain section.

7th AACTA Awards Sydney: Celebrates the best of Australian film and television talent in 2017.

Vanfest Forbes: This two-day music festival brings Australian and international artists together at the Forbes Showground where festival-goers camp on site. Previous line-ups have included John Butler Trio, Rudimental and Birds of Tokyo.

Sydney New Year’s Eve Various Sydney locations: Sydney welcomes in 2018 with its world-famous fireworks show over the harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This is a must-do-at-least-once experience.

JANUARY 2018

Sydney Festival: This summer festival presents the best of world talent in the performing arts and is staged in diverse venues from the city centre to Western Sydney.

Australia Day: This all-day celebration on January 26 begins with the Great Ferry Race or ‘ferrython’ on Sydney Harbour followed by a vintage car display, free family entertainment and fabulous fireworks.

Parkes Elvis Festival: The Central NSW town of Parkes welcomes thousands of hip-swivelling Elvis impersonators, tribute artists and fans for a dazzling array of events to celebrate the birthday of “the King”. The 2017 festival will celebrate its 25th year with more than 150 Elvis-themed events over five days.

Surfest: The world’s best professional surfers travel to Newcastle, to compete for the much cherished Mark Richards ‘MR’ trophy on Merewether Beach, Newcastle.

Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth: Australia’s biggest celebration of country music features over 700 performers and 2,800 shows across 120 venues in Tamworth. The event culminates with the Country Music Awards of Australia during which the coveted Golden Guitars are awarded.

VIVID SYDNEY 2016

AUSTRALIAN OPEN OF SURF

FEBRUARY

Australian Open of Surfing: All eyes are on Manly Beach for this action-packed sporting event that showcases the best in surfing, skating, music, fashion and art.

Sydney Chinese New Year: Sydney is home to one of the largest Chinese New Year festivals outside Asia, with a month-long program of events including the exciting Twilight Parade.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras: This month-long celebration culminates in the famous Mardi Gras Parade, the biggest event of its kind in the world, bursting with creativity and fun.

Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour: This thrilling endurance race, for performance and production cars, is held in Bathurst, the home of Australian motor sport. The event attracts international teams including Ferrari, Bentley, Mercedes and Nissan, with drivers lining up to take on one of the world’s most famous race tracks.

MARCH

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: The success of the past three operas staged on Sydney Harbour has led to support for three more stunning events to be staged by Opera Australia in Sydney.

Albury Gold Cup: The Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup Carnival is now firmly established as one of the premier country racing carnivals in Australia, celebrated as a half-day holiday in Albury.

APRIL

Sydney Royal Easter Show: Australia’s largest annual event sees the country come to the city for agricultural competitions, animal farms, family entertainment, carnival fun, show bags and much more.

Bluesfest: Australia’s premier blues and roots festival is packed with more than 200 performances by some of the best international and Australian blues, roots, folk, soul and world artists. Idyllic Byron Bay is the popular destination for this Easter weekend event.

Sail Port Stephens: This annual yachting regatta is held in the gorgeous waterways of the Port Stephens Marine Park, with the regatta centre hosted at d’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay.Wings Over Illawarra: The annual air show brings jaw-dropping aerial aerobatics, and spectacular displays of classic warbirds and vintage aircraft to the Illawarra.

MAY

Vivid Sydney: A celebration of light, music and ideas includes a mesmerising free public exhibition of outdoor lighting sculptures, a cutting-edge contemporary music program and the spectacular illumination of the Sydney Opera House and harbour foreshore. Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

IRONMAN Australia: This popular global event consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike course and 42.2km run amidst the rugged beauty of the Port Macquarie region.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONsydney.com, visitnsw.com

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PR CONTACT Allison Lee Director, Media & Public Relations Destination NSW +61 (0) 2 9931 1318 +61 (0) 437 490 187 allison.lee@dnsw.com.au IMAGESTo view and order images from the Destination NSW image library, go to: images.destinationnsw.com.au Create an account in order to view and order images required. Note: Some images require mandatory credits.

BLACKMORES SYDNEY RUNNING FESTIVAL