After an extraordinary 30-year career at ASM Global, Geoff Donaghy steps down from his full time role as Chief Executive Officer of ICC Sydney and Group Director – Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC) this month, leaving behind a legacy that will last well beyond his departure.
Throughout the month, Geoff has been honoured by his team at ICC Sydney and ASM Global, business leaders, influencers and community organisations from across Sydney and New South Wales as well as the business events industry globally through events and recorded tributes.
ICC Sydney’s team has also honoured Geoff’s legacy by creating the “Geoff Donaghy Leadership Award” category in the internal Extraordinaires Awards program.
Geoff started his career as a school teacher who then moved to the tourism sector through airline and then hotel industry roles, before being appointed General Manager of the Tourism Tropical North Queensland (tourism and convention) bureau in 1989, during the region’s time of high visitation growth.
He joined today’s ASM Global in 1994 to open the Cairns Convention Centre and champion the benefits of business events for the region. In June 2003, he moved to Brisbane to lead the opening of Suncorp Stadum as CEO.
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Under his steady direction, Geoff curated the team that would eventually open International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in December 2016, which is now one of the world’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment centres.
Over the years of his illustrious career, Geoff Donaghy forged his path with determination, an unshakeable work ethic and commitment to make a difference – earning a reputation as one of the most respected leaders in the business events industry. From the highs of opening the venue and hosting some of the world’s most prestigious events to the lows of Covid-19, Geoff’s leadership and his commitment to clear communication and guidance has remained constant.
Under Geoff’s stewardship, ICC Sydney’s team delivered over 3,665 events that attracted 6.4 million visitors who contributed A$3.9 billion in economic benefit to the local economy to date. Across his time at the helm of ICC Sydney, he and his team have received 95 industry awards, achieved an average delegate satisfaction rating of 97.4 per cent and 98.2 per cent client satisfaction rating.
Geoff Donaghy’s team secured and operated events that have delivered almost A$4 billion in economic impact for the state, and he recently stated: “Beyond the significant impact driven by ICC Sydney’s role as economic infrastructure, I look back on my time at ICC Sydney and beyond as part of the ASM Global network with pride – working to inspire our team to live up to our mission to make a difference – for one another, our clients, community and the planet.”
ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability Inclusion Action Plan, reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, among other leading campaigns such as its Feeding your Performance philosophy and client Legacy Program.
