Sydney has secured the regional hosting of an international start-up festival, premier Gladys Berejiklian announced after meeting US vice president Mike Pence on Sunday.
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The Launch festival, which originated in San Francisco, will have a Sydney edition in 2018 and 2019.
"Securing the rights of the Launch festival through Business Events Sydney is a coup for our fast-growing startup community," Ms Berejiklian said. "NSW is the Startup State of Australia, and San Francisco is the birthplace of startups."
Ms Berejiklian and Mr Pence, accompanied by his family, spent the afternoon cruising Sydney Harbour and discussing joint business opportunities.
Mr Pence spent the earlier part of the day at Taronga Zoo, were he encountered Penny the kangaroo.
The US vice president brought his wife Karen and daughters Audrey and Charlotte to the zoo for a bit of down time on Sunday and the chance to get up close with some of Australia's furry friends.
Penny, an orphaned red kangaroo who was hand raised by a keeper, was snoozing happily in the shade of a gum tree when her unexpected guests from America dropped by.
"That's my usual position on a Sunday afternoon," Mr Pence joked to Penny's keepers.
After a few pats from the vice-president, Penny rolled over and slowly got to her feet and tried to move away.
But there was no escape. Mr Pence was determined to get a family picture with Penny who reluctantly complied.
Penny's mate Widgi the emu was more keen to meet America's second family, possibly because they had some tasty treats to munch on.
Security was tight at the zoo for the Pence family visit, with some families slightly perturbed by the temporary closure of some sections.
"That's annoying," one dad told a police officer who confirmed the vice president was visiting.
Before sitting down to enjoy lunch overlooking the harbour in the zoo's Roar and Snore enclosure, the Pence family got to meet Cheezel the ringtail possum, Jindi the echidna, Griffin the sooty owl and Bai'yali the koala.
While Cheezel, Jindi and Griffin were perfectly behaved, Bai'yali did attempt to make a break for the top of the branch she was clinging to as Mr Pence tried to make friends.Mr Pence and his family are spending the day sightseeing in Sydney on their final day of their whirlwind visit, which included bilateral talks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday.
Mr Pence is due to fly out of Sydney on Monday when he heads to Hawaii, the final stop on his 10-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region.
AAP
