12 June, 2024

Geoff Donaghy has announced he will step down as CEO of ICC Sydney

Geoff Donaghy has announced he will step down as CEO of ICC Sydney at the end of August after 10 extraordinary years at the helm of Australia’s premier Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment venue.

The chief executive of ICC Sydney and group director convention centres, ASM Global (APAC), has announced he will depart his full time role on 30 August, but will stay on as an advisor to the business until the end of the year as ASM Global embeds its succession strategy over the coming weeks.

“On behalf of ASM Global, we thank Geoff for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the company and our people during his more than 30 years of service,” ASM Global (APAC), executive chairman, Harvey Lister AM, said.

“Geoff Donaghy is one of ASM Global’s longest serving executives having contributed greatly to the establishment of key venues in our portfolio, including Cairns Convention Centre, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, numerous venue management bids globally and of course 10 years of outstanding success at ICC Sydney.

“As CEO, Geoff and his ICC Sydney team have secured and operated events that have delivered almost A$4 billion in economic impact for the state, but his inspiring leadership is renowned for living up to the promise of ICC Sydney’s mission to make a difference – for one another, clients, community and the environment. Moreover, I recognise one of Geoff’s greatest achievements in successfully navigating ICC Sydney and our broader industry through the challenging times of the COVID pandemic,” Lister said.

Donaghy said of his time with ASM Global, “It is with great pride that I reflect on the milestones of the past three decades. I want to express my appreciation to Executive Chairman Harvey Lister for his commitment to the group’s advancement, Group Director – Venue and Event Innovation, Rod Pilbeam and our network of colleagues from around the world for their continued dedication and professionalism. Serving our teams, clients and community has been an absolute privilege.

“Leading our talented team here at ICC Sydney, often navigating challenging waters while serving our clients and community has been a great honour and privilege. But I am also immensely proud of our commitment to invest in our people, strengthen our community, and protect the environment with each business event we have hosted. I look forward to seeing these important legacies continue into the decades ahead.”

This writer had the pleasure of working with Donaghy and his team on its ICC Sydney culinary philosophy of Feeding Your Performance, a few years ago.

There was nothing but admiration and respect for a leader who took a dated Sydney Convention Centre in Darling Harbour to new heights with a redevelopment and growing ICC Sydney into the Southern Hemisphere’s now leading business and convention space.

From ICC Sydney’s INView magazine, 2019.

Under Donaghy’s leadership, ICC Sydney received 95 industry awards, achieving an average delegate satisfaction rating of 97.4 per cent and 98.2 per cent client satisfaction rating. ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability and Inclusion Action Plan, reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, amongst other leading campaigns such as its Feeding your Performance philosophy and client Legacy Program.

Donaghy is equally world renowned for his commitment to Make a Difference. ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability and Inclusion Action Plan, reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, amongst other leading campaigns such as its Feeding your Performance culinary philosophy and event Legacy Program.

The new ICC Sydney emerges in 2016.

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