MCEC’s biggest month and year in history

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has completed its most successful month in its 18 year history hosting more than 100 events, attracting over 87,600 delegates, achieving just under $10.5 million in operating revenue and generating over $35 million in economic benefit for Victoria.

The venue’s previous highest revenue month was $8.5 million in August 2013. The new record month has been achieved while turning away 19.5% of new business due to lack of available space.

MCEC’s August results are off the back of the venue’s largest year on record, achieving $69.9 million for the 2013/14 financial year resulting in more than $274 million for the Victorian economy.

The venue celebrated its results during Victoria Tourism Week, from 1st to 6th September, which promotes the growth of the industry and the benefits of the visitor economy with business events worth $1.2 billion annually  and creating 22,600 jobs.

MCEC’s food and beverage team broke all records in August with revenues 23% above the previous highest recorded revenue in October 2012, with the venue’s Victorian suppliers also reaping the benefits.

With an ongoing commitment to sourcing from local suppliers and winemakers, MCEC plays a significant role in boosting local businesses and showcasing their produce to an international audience.

The event calendar for August 2014 was reflective of the diverse range of business held at MCEC including:

• Four concerts
• Nine gala dinners
• 14 conferences with exhibitions
• Seven conferences
• 13 exhibitions
• 59 smaller seminars and meetings

 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust Chairman Bob Annells explains “with revenues and customer satisfaction surveys at an all-time high, our business is in great shape.

“We are exceeding the expectations of our business plans and are committed to continually providing a strong return on the investment made by the Victorian State Government.

“The Trust is proud of the wonderful employees at MCEC and the quality event experience they deliver every day for customers.

“MCEC is a valuable community asset, a world class venue, and Victoria and the city should be delighted to see evidence of this success story.”

MCEC’s record August facts and figures:

• 16,000 unique users connected to MCEC’s free Wi-Fi.
• 2.16 terabyte of data downloaded.
• The largest dinner hosted was for 1200.
• For the first time MCEC’s pastry team worked non-stop for 96 hours over four days.
• The in-house kitchen team baked 7,000 muffins, 36,000 cookies and 4,000 danishes.
• The team also made 350 litres of ice cream, 400 kilograms of yoghurt and 200 kilograms muesli.
• MCEC chefs served around 4,000 of its signature Taste of Victoria entrée dishes.
• 1.1 tonne of coffee beans ground during the month.

MCEC Chief Executive Peter King added “everything we do at MCEC is a team effort, so I congratulate our employees who together help deliver events that are memorable and generate a great legacy for the city.

“We are part of a ‘Team Melbourne’ approach in securing events for the city, working closely with the Melbourne Convention Bureau, Victorian State Government and other industry partners.”

MCEC can also attribute its success to the Club Melbourne Ambassador Program with its leaders securing and hosting eight of the world’s most prestigious conferences over the past 12 months, including the World Diabetes Congress and World Congress of Cardiology.

Conferences secured by Ambassadors in 2013/14 brought in almost 20,000 visitors and were worth $82 million in economic impact to the state of Victoria.

Events coming up at MCEC include Grand Designs Live, PAX (Penny Arcade Expo), Gluten Free Expo and Conference, World Cancer Congress and Nick Cave Live in Concert.

King concluded “our forward bookings and business outlook remains incredibly healthy for the foreseeable future so we are looking forward to forging ahead into another busy month.”

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

21st June 2014 - MCEC SAFETY WORKSHOP LEADS THE WAY FOR MELBOURNE 

14th December 2011 - RAS’ PETER KING TO HEAD MCEC

19th November 2010 - EXPANSION OF MCEC EXHIBITION SPACE REVEALED