Geoff Donaghy is stepping down as CEO of ICC Sydney and Asia Pacific group director of ASM Global’s regional convention centres after 30 years with the venue management company.
Geoff Donaghy, who was the opening CEO of the showpiece ICC Sydney along the city’s Darling Harbour waterfront, announced that he would depart his full-time role on August 30. He will, however, stay on as advisor to the business till the end of the year as ASM Global finds a successor.
“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,” said Harvey Lister, executive chairman of ASM Global (APAC).
“Geoff Donaghy is one of ASM Global’s longest-serving executives, having contributed significantly 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, ten years of extraordinary 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,” Harvey Lister said.
Donaghy said of his time with ASM Global: “The team here at ICC Sydney has achieved many accolades, but I am most immensely proud of our investment in the strength of our people and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. I look forward to seeing these important legacies continued into the decades ahead.”
ASM Global said that under Donaghy’s leadership of ICC Sydney, the venue received 95 industry awards, achieving an average delegate satisfaction rating of 97.4 per cent and a client satisfaction rating of 98.2 per cent.
ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan for work with Aboriginal communities and a Disability and Inclusion Action Plan.
