TEDxSydney is one of the world’s largest independently organised TEDx events. In 2017, it undertook its most ambitious evolution yet - shifting from the iconic Sydney Opera House to ICC Sydney and doubling its live audience from 2,200 to over 4,250 attendees. BLE was engaged as lead production partner to guide the event through this transition. Our challenge: preserve the intimacy and connection central to the TEDx experience, while delivering at a dramatically increased scale and with the creative precision BLE is known for. Hosted in the custom-built, 4,300-seat TEDx Theatre, TEDxSydney 2017 was the most successful in its history. It featured compelling talks from leading voices including Dr. Bronwyn King, Mike Cannon-Brookes, Sarah Houbolt, and Andy Dexterity.
The event introduced a major new element: the TEDx HUB - a pioneering 9,000 sqm experience space that reimagined community interaction. With immersive installations, themed networking zones, and brand activations, it became the heartbeat of the event’s interactivity. From presentation formats to food design, TEDxSydney 2017 was re-engineered to engage and inspire. The results spoke volumes: enthusiastic reviews from TEDx headquarters in New York, an explosion of global engagement, and a redefined benchmark for future events.
In the 4,300-seat TEDx Theatre, four powerful sessions showcased thought leaders and performers including Dr. Bronwyn King, Mike Cannon-Brookes, Sarah Houbolt and Andy Dexterity.
A 9,000sqm hub fostered connection and creativity, with 15 themed networking zones, immersive experiences, and live brand activations that brought the community together.
The event’s commitment to sustainability was tangible: 5,000 pieces of ‘imperfect’ fruit from Harris Farm, 1.8 tonnes of waste diverted with compostables, over 2,000 water refills reducing plastic use, and leftover meals donated to OzHarvest.
From Sydney to the world: 500,000+ livestream viewers, 60M+ video views, #1 trending on Twitter in Australia, 102M+ media reach and 1M+ digital impressions.
Attendance doubled year-on-year, with 92% satisfaction in event operations, 86% in HUB activations, 87% overall approval, and 91% of attendees planning to return.