The ambassadors are eminent leaders in their fields and include Moya Dodd, Ann Sherry, Cassandra Kelly, Karen Stocks, Sally Loane and Michelle Simmons.
Earlier this year the NSW premier announced BE Sydney had successfully bid to host the 2018 Global Summit of Women, a prestigious international event dubbed “Davos for Women”.
The summit is over 25 years old and focuses on women’s advancement in the global economy. The event was founded and remains run by Irene Natividad, the chair of GlobeWomen Research and Education Institute and a former adviser to Hillary Clinton who has campaigned for women’s rights since the sixties.
Thks @JoGrayBoss for Irene Natividad i/v :Gender quotas are only way https://t.co/dwyCk4eSIK via @FinancialReview @AFRBoss #genderequality
— sam mostyn (@sammostyn) September 7, 2017
The 2018 Summit is expected to attract more than 1,000 leaders across private and public sectors from 80 countries, and inject over $2 million into the New South Wales economy.
Also this year the premier announced Sydney will host the Launch Festival start-up event.
“My government works with BE Sydney to secure hosting rights for events in the national interest and for the benefit of NSW,” Berejiklian said.
By increasing Sydney’s profile on the world stage she says they position the state for a better future. “Together we’re securing international events which provide lasting community benefits across health, education, infrastructure and technology,” Berejiklian said.
As Patron, she will support the efforts of Ambassadors who are boosting our knowledge economy by volunteering their time in support of the state.
Delighted to have @GladysB showcasing Sydney and NSW to our honoured guests @ANZCCJ @Austroads https://t.co/o4PWSE3Xpm
— BESydney (@BESydney) August 22, 2017
“The Program leverages the insights and network of prominent leaders to secure prestigious international events to NSW and Australia,” BE Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said. “They include award winning luminaries from Google, ANZ Bank through to Animal Logic and Sydney University.”
Lewis-Smith says the benefit of hosting these types of events is not limited to the direct expenditure, which she says is in the vicinity of $200million each year.
“The value is in the “beyond-tourism” benefits, in driving a knowledge economy and harnessing what happens at business events. It can boost direct foreign investment and attract global talent.”
Just over 40% of BESydney visitors in 2016 are considering either working or studying here, 7% have moved here and 72% percent of visitors plan to return with family or friends within 5 years.
“Conferences are a catalyst for thriving economies and we need to leverage and maximise the productivity of events we secure and look at those strategic benefits.”
The announcement builds on the Premier’s existing support for BESydney. BE’s current bid for the World Roads Congress to come to Sydney in 2023 has been strengthened by the Premier discussing the state’s credentials in infrastructure and innovation with key decision makers during her August mission to Japan and Korea.