Sydney has been counting its winnings after a bumper year for international events. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) said international business events held in the city during 2010/2011 would inject AUD186m (£122m) into the economy of New South Wales.

The 67 events won by BESydney in the last financial year will attract an estimated 55,061 delegates as they take place - an increase of 28 per cent on 2009/10 results, the organisation said.

Meanwhile the new Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will be Australia’s largest meetings facility, should be completed in 2015.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, acting CEO and COO of BESydney, said: “We are working to ensure this new space is profiled in global markets and that a steady stream of business events is poised to experience the world-class facility from the day it opens.”

She said the city would continue to tap the burgeoning Asian market: “Last financial year the Asian market delivered AUD$33.1m of incentive business for Sydney. We were the first Australian bureau to open an office in Asia, and since 2004 we have increased the number of business events secured for Sydney from six in 2004/5 to 22 last financial year. Fifty-four per cent of this business comes from China and this growth is set to continue exponentially.”