Big vision, big ideas, big event: how Vivid put Sydney on the map

Sydney will be put in the spotlight once again next month for the 10th annual Vivid Sydney, with the lights shining bright from 25 May – 16 June 2018.

Even if you haven’t experienced Vivid Sydney first-hand, it’s highly likely you’ve seen the mind-blowing images of their signature lighting installations and projections, entertainment and masterclasses, splashed across social media.

In 2017, the event saw a record attendance of 2.33 million, with intrastate, interstate and international visitors injecting approx. $110 million into the local economy. Vivid has successfully created an event that is a must-see on the world-stage, as an event, it’s become a destination with many things to see and do as part of this festival of light.

Originally devised as an engaging way to highlight energy efficiency, Vivid has evolved dramatically in its relatively short 10-year history. The festival is now internationally recognised as a destination in itself, with visitors enjoying a dazzling array of lights, music and intriguing ideas during the three-week program.

Guided walks steer visitors through the bright installations and beautiful animations, perfectly projection-mapped onto our iconic architecture – not only at well-known the iconic Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and Luna Park – but throughout Chatswood, Martin Place, Taronga Zoo, the Botanic Gardens, and beyond.

Whilst thousands brave the chilly evenings during May and June to stroll the streets taking in the Vivid sights, others choose the less bustling and jostling approach by boarding one of the many cruises that sail the stunning Sydney Harbour indulging in a crowd-free perspective from the water – with cocktails and canapés in hand, of course! Vivid Sydney feeds the mind too, with ‘Game Changer’ workshops and seminars featuring storytelling, presentations and debates touching on politics, music, surfing, and much more.

Local businesses, tourism operators, government agencies, and more have jumped at the chance to be a part of the fun with exclusive Vivid-themed degustation menus, events, exhibitions and special offers now a celebrated part of the festival.

Big business has also jumped into the Vivid festival. In 2016 Intel took to the skies of Sydney Harbour with a fleet of LED-lit drones choreographed to music from the Sydney Youth Orchestra to showcase their latest technology in an engaging way.

Working in an event services company, we understand that conceptualising an event begins with a blank canvas that we grow into colourful experiences to surprise and delight attendees.

Vivid Sydney is a fantastic example of an event that has escalated into an international festival appealing broadly to multiple audiences, ages and interests. What Vivid Sydney has done so well create a visually, musically and intellectual engaging event, that keeps attendees coming back each year and communicates the message – Sydney is fun, beautiful and innovative.

Social media has also been instrumental in taking Vivid Sydney to a world-wide audience. Whilst it can be challenging to get your brand out there organically via consumers – as they can be reluctant to blatantly post a brand’s message on their social media (well, apart from brand ambassadors that is!) – when it looks as beautiful as Vivid’s installations, attendees can’t help themselves and enthusiastically engage and share their experiences, images and unknowingly, endorse the brand. For Intel, it was their most successful social media campaign ever.

Vivid Sydney is a great illustration of how ‘brand Sydney’ is reaching a global audience and to both domestic and international visitors to come to our stunning Harbour City.