On Wednesday evening, more than 20 district teams, representing local businesses across New South Wales, unveiled plans to transform their communities into vibrant night-time destinations at the 2024 Uptown Accelerator District Showcase.
Hosted by the Office of 24-Hour Economy Commissioner at Fortress Sydney, the Showcase was the culmination of a 12-week program of workshops, with district teams each presenting their visions in two-minute pitches.
The Uptown Accelerator program is designed to help district teams across the state transform their communities into going-out hubs, and for the first time, the Showcase included participants from Greater Newcastle, the Central Coast and Illawarra-Shoalhaven alongside Greater Sydney.
Michael Rodrigues, 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, said: “New South Wales is blessed with so many topographies, different nationalities and a storytelling tradition dating back more than 60,000 years. We simply need to do a better job of elevating this tapestry for local communities and visitors to see and experience.
“While a shrimp on the barbie and a parmi down the local have their well-earned spot on our cultural buffet, there is way more to discover, to enjoy and inspire. What Uptown does is give groups of like-minded businesses the skills they need to shape narratives and experiences by working together that has the power to draw visitors from near and far, time and again.”
At the Showcase, each of the participating teams shared insights into their local communities and the diversity of the going-out landscape across the state, with the opportunity to reach audiences of potential corporate and government partners, including local councils, Organic Food Markets and American Express.
Businesses from Newcastle shone a light on Midtown, a nightlife precinct in the city’s west loaded with independent bars and world-class beers, while a district team for the Central Coast, which represents a collaboration of over 20 diverse local businesses, spoke about invigorating the Gosford Strip into a cultural hotspot.
In Western Sydney, representatives for Fairfield and Canley Heights shared plans to transform the area into a destination for gourmet food and late-night entertainment, collectively establishing a late-night entertainment district known as Canley Heights Nights, designed to attract people from across Sydney.
Seng Ly, Managing Director of VIP Karaoke Bar in Canley Heights, spoke about his experience: “When I came into the Accelerator, I came with vision to grow my community, and the program helped reinforce and sharpen it into something actionable.
“The whole program was a great learning experience; I’ve gained the tools to collaborate with local leaders and other businesses to drive initiatives that will truly benefit my community.”
Amanda Choularton, Director of Organic Food Markets, also commented on the Showcase: “The Uptown Accelerator District Showcase is a great opportunity to connect with diverse businesses across New South Wales and build partnerships with these local entrepreneurs to create unique experiences.
“As a market operator, working with a district means you already know that the demand is there, and the community support exists before you pitch your event to a consent authority.”
A key component in the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Agenda, the Uptown District Acceleration Program will open applications for a third round in December, with $5.5m of funding set to amplify the state’s live performance, hospitality and creative sectors while enhancing the night-time economy.