Highlighting Australian convention capabilities to European decision makers

Australia’s capability to host international business events is being highlighted at International and European Associations Congress (IEAC), with the Adelaide Convention Centre, Business Events Sydney and the Melbourne Convention Bureau joining Tourism Australia’s Business Events Australia division to showcase the investment in convention infrastructure across the country.

Projects being promoted at the IEAC, being held in Paris from today (26th April) until Monday, include the Adelaide Convention Centre – which is at the heart of an unprecedented level of infrastructure development across the South Australian capital, which when completed will further enhance the city’s well known functionality and services to the business events sector.

The $350 million two-stage redevelopment of the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) will significantly increase capacity and flexibility of the venue, which is conveniently situated adjacent to a health precinct encompassing the newly opened $200million South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, the still to be completed Medicine and Cancer Schools and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

ACC Chief Executive Alec Gilbert explains “the Centre expansion will re-affirm our venue as one of the world’s premier conference centres, ensuring we remain competitive in a very demanding market.”

The Paris promotion is also highlighting how two world-class developments are set to transform Sydney convention capacity.

The new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is an $1 billion investment set to open in 2016 and will include a convention and exhibition centre as well as a theatre.

In close proximity from ICC Sydney, the $2 billion Bangaroo precinct will offer a suite of conference facilities along with five-star hospitality and entertainment on Sydney’s iconic waterfront. The development will be serviced by new and extended public transport systems.

Melbourne has an established reputation as one of the world's premier business events destinations. The city is half way through its most successful two years on record in terms of international association conferences held. By the end of this year, Melbourne will have hosted 70 international conferences secured by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and welcomed more than 85,000 delegates to the city, which will contribute almost A$420 million to the state’s economy. To meet the growing business events industry, Melbourne is constantly adding to its convention capacity and supporting infrastructure, including the recent opening of five-star Sheraton Melbourne.

Business Events Australia General Manager Penny Lion explains “to be successful in the global convention market, Australia must continue to have the right mix, standard and locations of core convention infrastructure. Continued investment world-class infrastructure developments will ensure our distinguished track record in hosting large-scale business events remains.

“Australia is a centre of excellence; a world leader in the fields of biotechnology, agribusiness, computer and information systems, financial services, resources and mining and the development of clean energy. We invite the world’s associations to come and see why innovation flourishes in one of the most beautiful places on earth.”

Click here to visit the IEAC website.

Click here to visit the Business Events Australia webpage.

8th December 2013 - CONSTRUCTION SET TO START ON INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE SYDNEY PROJECT