Expansion of MCEC exhibition space revealed

The Victorian Government has announced its commitment to a $242 million expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

The expansion will see a versatile exhibition space of 12,000 metres2 will be integrated with both the existing 30,000 metre2 Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the 5,550 capacity Melbourne Convention Centre which opened in 2009.

The new flexible event space will have a range of environmental features in keeping with the MCEC's commitment to green design. This will be reflected in the use of solar panels, a level of water harvesting and the provision of on demand natural light within the halls.

The expansion responds directly to a global demand for large scale exhibition and convention space requirements and business events.

MCEC Chief Executive Leigh Harry welcomed the Victorian Labor Party's election commitment, stating "this will position MCEC at the top of Australiaâs list with almost 50% more exhibition space than any other Australian venue. Many large scale events with significant exhibition requirements will now be able to consider Melbourne as their destination.

"The extra space also enables growth for shows already hosted by MCEC, such as the International Motor Show, Good Food Show and the Gift Show among a range of others."

Victorian Premier John Brumby has also announced a $19 million conference centre will be built in the bushfire-ravaged town of Marysville.

The commitment has been welcomed by TTF Managing Director Christopher Brown who said the extension will allow Melbourne to host more and bigger events, stating "events are a critical driver of visitation, so this investment will deliver significant benefits to Victoria, creating economic activity and jobs.

"This will allow Melbourne to compete with other cities in the region for business and major events which attract high-yield visitors from across Australia and around the world."

Brown believes other states can learn from the successes of Victoria's integrated approach to tourism, which has shown the way in tourism growth rates, adding "since 2000i, the number of international visitors to Melbourne has grown by 40.5% - including a 34% rise in business visitors - with domestic visitor numbers up 9.3%.

"Over the same period, international visitors to Sydney have grown just 8.3% while domestic visitors fell 13.4%."

Brown concluded "a conference centre in Marysville will be a significant boost to the region as it continues the long recovery from the devastatng bushfires."

The MCEC development will commence in 2012 for completion in 2014.

For more information go to www.mcec.com.au/

19th October 2010 - LEIGH HARRY TAKES ON BECA CHAIRMANSHIP