NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner has called for expressions of interest from the world’s leading creative industry thought leaders, businesses and practitioners to take part in next year’s Vivid Ideas, the industry and business events pillar of Vivid Sydney.

Owned and managed by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest annual celebration of light, music and ideas. Vivid Sydney next takes place from 23 May to 9 June 2014.

“Vivid Sydney is a must-attend event on the international creative calendar. It is renowned the world over as a key platform for members of the creative industries from both Australia and across the globe to collaborate, foster business connections and showcase new ideas,” Minister Stoner said.

Vivid Ideas offers a program of creative industry talks, conferences, workshops, panels, showcases, exhibitions, creative product launches, award presentations, and social and networking functions.

“In 2013, more than 800,000 people attended Vivid Sydney across the 18 days of the festival. The Vivid Ideas program showcased 122 unique events across 25 Sydney venues, including the Vivid Ideas Exchange at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and a wealth of creative local and international talent.

Vivid Sydney Creative Director, Ignatius Jones, said Vivid Sydney is about turning inspiration into action and attracts the world’s best creative practitioners in the fields of design, lighting, architecture, music, fashion, film, visual arts, advertising and more.

 “Vivid Sydney is growing every year – in reputation, size and appeal – and 2014 will be the year for the creative industries to really engage with Vivid Ideas.

“There are many ways to get involved in Vivid Ideas, from developing a forum or workshop and hosting a networking function to launching your latest innovation or running a think tank or debate session,” explained Ignatius Jones.

“So far, more than 1300 creative industry practitioners across the world have registered interest in submitting designs for Vivid Light, the centrepiece of the Vivid Sydney festival, which closes on Friday 4 October. We’re expecting a similar high level of interest in the Vivid Ideas program, with more opportunities to participate than ever before,” he concluded.

Expressions of Interest to participate in Vivid Ideas 2014 will close on 4 November 2013.