EEAA Welcomes the Expansion of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

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EEAA Welcomes the Expansion of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

7/12/2018
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) is pleased to welcome the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), making this venue Australia’s largest convention and exhibition space.

Acting Premier the Hon. James Merlino MP and Minister for Tourism and Major Events, The Hon. John Eren MP announced the opening of MCEC’s new event space on Sunday 8 July.

The $205 million expansion results in a 25 per cent increase in event space, adding 20,000 square metres, taking MCEC’s total size to 70,000 square metres.

One highlight of the expansion is the Goldfields Theatre, a 9000 square metre multi-purpose event space with a retractable 1000 seat theatre. Other spaces include new exhibition halls, the Eureka meeting rooms, an outdoor terrace area, Sovereign Room banquet space and Goldfields Café and bar.

“We have delivered a world class facility that is functional, adaptable and aesthetically pleasing with a quality and sophistication that reflects Melbourne,” said MCEC chief executive, Peter King. “Customer experience was front of mind when planning the design – we wanted to ensure our facilities suited the needs of our customers, rather than constraining them to fit within our space”.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio, says that the expansion will add further capacity and flexibility for both national and international clients.

“The increased event space is anticipated to attract more events to Australia and improve our business events competitiveness.

“Around the country State Governments are all being asked to consider the venue requirements for the business events sector in the future. This latest investment by the Victorian Government will help the exhibition and events industry enormously and demonstrates the State’s continued recognition of business events as a driver of the Victorian economy. “Joyce DiMascio said.

“It is an exciting time for MCEC and we look forward to working closely with them to leverage their expansion as an opportunity for the industry,” concluded Ms DiMascio.

ABOUT EEAA
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) is the peak industry Association representing Organisers, Association Organisers, Venues and Suppliers within the exhibition and event sector. Awarded the inaugural Global Exhibitions Day Industry Impact Award in July 2017, EEAA has been recognised internationally by UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and Exhibition World for having had the most positive impact supporting exhibitions as an industry.

The work of the Association and its Members is a testament to the Power of Exhibitions as a driver of the economy and in particular economic development, trade and export, employment, visitation and knowledge sharing. The EY study, The Value of Business Events to Australia, shows in 2013-14, there were 2,157 exhibitions staged in Australia, attracting 9.3 million visitors and over 65,000 exhibitors. The total direct expenditure from exhibitions was $3.1 billion and these events contributed direct value add of $1.5 billion and generated over 21,000 full time equivalent jobs.

A not-for-profit organisation, EEAA works to ensure industry growth by encouraging high industry standards, promoting the professionalism of EEAA Members and highlighting the unique business opportunities that exist through exhibitions. Read more about EEAA at www.eeaa.com.au.

Contact:
knewson@eeaa.com.au