ICMS Students Get Front-Row Seat at SXSW Sydney

Imagine stepping behind the scenes of SXSW Sydney, one of the world’s biggest creative events, watching as it comes together in real time.  

That’s exactly what ICMS undergraduate and postgraduate event management students experienced when they headed to the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney for an exclusive look at SXSW Sydney in full swing.  

This experience gave students a clear view of what goes into staging one of the world’s most complex festivals. 

An Exclusive Invitation

A couple of weeks prior, Jono Whyman, Co-Managing Director of SXSW Sydney, spoke to students at the ICMS City Campus about the planning and coordination needed for an event of this scale.  

Following his visit, he invited students to observe an official SXSW pre-production meeting, where they gained insight into operational discussions between SXSW Sydney and ICC Sydney.

Why This Experience Matters

With 1,600 sessions and events running across 40 venues in one week, SXSW Sydney demonstrated the scale and complexity involved in event management.  

Students saw first-hand how detailed planning and collaboration come together for a major international festival. 

“This was a valuable opportunity for ICMS students to learn directly from a leading event organisation,” Janene Wardrop, ICMS Program Manager (Events), said.  

“Watching a live briefing between SXSW and the ICC helped students understand the level of detail and professionalism needed to deliver an event of this size.  

“Direct, hands-on experiences like this not only build industry connections but also help our students develop the skills employers are looking for.” 

Direct industry exposure is a core part of the ICMS learning experience, giving students opportunities to connect their studies with professional practice.

The relationship with SXSW Sydney is one of many ways ICMS supports students in building their professional networks and gaining practical knowledge.