After an extraordinary career spanning more than three decades in Australia’s convention and exhibition sector, Malu Barrios will retire from her role as General Manager – New Projects at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) on Friday, 31 October 2025.
Malu has been instrumental in shaping ICC Sydney’s reputation as one of the world’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venues. From leading the transition from the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island to being a founding member of ICC Sydney’s opening team, she has helped welcome millions of attendees and deliver thousands of world-class events.
Her contribution extends far beyond a single venue. Over her career, Malu has opened four venues for Legends Global, each achieving industry accolades and success. She has been a tireless mentor to the next generation of professionals, a respected colleague, and an unwavering advocate for the exhibitions and business events industry.
Among her many achievements, Malu was named the inaugural Unsung Hero by the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA), served as ICCA Australia Chair, and was a Board Member of the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific). Her influence can be seen across landmark events from SIBOS to SXSW Sydney and Elevate the Stage, each benefitting from her passion for operational excellence and her signature calm leadership.
“Malu’s leadership has shaped ICC Sydney into the award-winning venue it is today. From the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island transition to welcoming millions of attendees through our doors, her impact is immeasurable. She’s operated four venues for Legends Global, mentored the next generation of professionals, and helped deliver some of the most complex and memorable events in our history.
Thank you, Malu, for your passion and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your legacy will continue to inspire us all. Wishing you every happiness in your next chapter.”
- ICC Sydney CEO Adam Mather-BrownSpeaking with Exhibition Industry News, Malu said she feels “content and at peace” as she prepares for the next chapter of her life.
“I recently spent time at my property in Queenstown, New Zealand, and came to realise how beautiful the location is, and that I should be enjoying it more,” she reflected. “I’m looking forward to the break. The company has been very good to me.”
Before joining ICC Sydney, Malu managed the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island during its interim years and previously served as General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre for a decade. Prior to that, she spent 12 years at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and five years with the Sydney Showground.
Across these roles, she has been a driving force in venue management and event delivery, known for her ability to unite teams and raise industry standards.
Messages of appreciation have poured in across LinkedIn, with colleagues and peers from around Australia and beyond acknowledging her professionalism, warmth, and enduring influence. Many describe her retirement as both a loss for the industry and a well-deserved milestone for one of its most admired figures.
Malu Barrios leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, one built on leadership, collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to excellence. Her work has not only shaped the success of ICC Sydney and the venues she led but has also strengthened Australia’s standing as a global destination for business events.
As she embraces a new pace of life surrounded by the mountains of Queenstown, the industry she helped shape will continue to feel the positive ripple of her influence for years to come.
