This weekend, Sydney Showground returned to pre-pandemic bliss, welcoming two consumer events, Expertise Event’s Oz Comic-Con Homegrown (OZCC) and the Sydney Disability Expo, to the venue. 

Injecting life back into Sydney Olympic Park, NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism, Stuart Ayres highlighted the exciting return of events by officially opening OZCC Homegrown and mingling with guests and stand holders across The Dome and Hall 2A. 

Over two days, the event welcomed 17,500 cosplay-clad guests, complying with the maximum capacity limits under the current health orders.

With Australian guests including Marvel’s Remy Hii and Wentworth’s award-winning actress Danielle Cormack, OZCC delivered an incredible event filled with cosplay artists, movie stars and comic guests. 

Meanwhile, in Exhibition Hall 3, the Sydney Disability Expo embraced My Future, My Choice connecting thousands of guests with over 200 products and service providers as well as a range of informative presentations by industry experts. 

Sydney Showground Head of Sales, Andrew Roberts, says the venue’s size, accessibility, and parking options helped successfully cater to such a large audience across two events in a COVID safe manner.

“The buzz across Sydney Showground this weekend was incredible and offered a glimpse into what is to come this December as we welcome the return of major events and sporting matches to the venue and look towards a booked-out calendar well into the new year,” Mr Roberts said. 

Expertise Events Managing Director Gary Fitz-Roy said, “What a celebration and way to send the message that live business events are back. We were hit with omicron, council elections and some average weather, and despite all of this, we hit the numbers permitted under our approval. 

“Our partners, from the showground, stand builders, security, AV, freight and PR all pulled together to ensure we delivered. Seeing is believing; we need to hold our nerve and ensure this is the start of all events returning with maximum confidence.”