Refurbishments underway at Canberra’s National Convention Centre

The National Convention Centre (NCC) in Canberra is undergoing a refurbishment, marking its first refresh in almost a decade.

Stage 1 work is underway is seeing the NCC spending $2.7 million on installing new carpet and furniture in the foyer, refurbishing its reception area, perking up its conference office, adding a designated cloak room, rolling out a major upgrade of bathrooms, and installing digital signage.

With all Stage 1 work expected to be completed by 30th June, Stage 2 work will continue until the end of June 2017.

NCC Manager Stephen Wood (pictured below) says several local suppliers, large and small, are being used to ensure the project generates economic benefits here in the capital.

Wood explains “it’s important for us to be more than just ‘present’ in the community.

“We don’t exist in isolation. We’re part of Canberra and are active in the community through strong, local partnerships.”

The major works began before Christmas and have been staged so as not to interrupt the day-to-day workings of the venue.

Wood adds “we closed on 18th December and started the refurb that day.

“Then we stopped for five days from 2nd January to put on a conference for 1,000 people. Then everyone was back pushing through with major work in the foyer.”

The last major NCC refurbishment was in 2007, with a large percentage of funds being spent on compliance. Total funding from the ACT Government this time is $5.4 million (part of budget process), to be spent over two years (to end June 2017).

The work is more than just cosmetic. It’s a serious effort to attract more conference business into Canberra, and the timing is perfect with the recent announcement of international flights linking the capital with Singapore and New Zealand.

Wood concludes “attracting conference business to Canberra has a major ripple effect through the economy as conference  delegates spend on accommodation, dining, attractions and retail, which all support local jobs.

“There is growing recognition that business events make a broader contribution to the destination, delivering innovation, knowledge and performance.”

As a separate project, the NCC has a major upgrade of its website underway and will be at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne (23rd and 24th February), as part of the Canberra presence, to promote the capital as an attractive destination for business events (Stand 4642).

NCC is managed by International Hotels Group (IHG), which has been operating here for 26 years. 

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

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