Sydney welcomes inaugural MDRT Global Conference

The association of life insurance and financial services professionals will welcome more than 7,700 delegates for its inaugural Global Conference in Sydney this weekend – one of the largest association meetings to hit Australia’s shores in the past five years.

Sydney’s proximity and appeal to MDRT’s growing membership out of Asia helped drive robust numbers of international delegates looking to the Sydney event to evolve their practices and services.

The four-day gathering will provide opportunities for the delegation to hear inspiring speakers, learn insights from some of the best minds in the world and share their best practices and innovations with their Australian peers to help attain new levels of success.

“MDRT presents an amazing opportunity to showcase Australia’s own financial services expertise and promote our open business landscape to the representatives from over 500 companies in 72 countries,” said the New South Wales Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, the Hon. Minister Stuart Ayres MP, acknowledging the work strategic bidding organisation, BESydney, undertook to secure this important global meeting for Sydney.

BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith, said the city has a strong track record in attracting large-scale financial services events such as Sibos in 1997, 2006, and 2018, the World Congress of Accountants 2018 and the recently held World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment. “Building upon this reputation provides opportunities to entice visiting delegates to look to Australia for future job prospects,” she added.

MDRT will also attract corporate leaders who may be looking for destinations to reward, motivate and inspire their teams through events, conferences and incentive programs in the future.

“Sydney is truly a world-class destination located on the beautiful harbour, and logistically we know it will produce an excellent experience for thousands of our global members,” said MDRT’s Meeting Services Director, Jeanne Malone. “The quality of the facilities and hotels on offer, the convenience of Sydney being so walkable and its airport accessibility to many countries only enhanced the destination’s appeal.”

ICC Sydney CEO, Geoff Donaghy, said attracting the world’s top financial professionals to Australia’s premier venue was a perfect match. “ICC Sydney is thrilled to be the venue of choice for this inaugural event that is bringing professionals and corporate leaders to Sydney. Our innovative facilities, services and team members will ensure delegates return home with truly memorable and valuable experiences.”

The MDRT Global Conference will take place at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) from 1- 4 September 2019. Speakers announced include Dr Nick Bontis, a world-leading expert on intellectual capital and its impact on business performance; world-renowned brand innovator, Dustin Garis; and Nataly Kogan, the founder of Happier, a global learning platform that helps organisations adopt scientifically-proven practices that improve well-being.