Australia’s Booming Business Events Infrastructure

The country is undergoing an unprecedented level of infrastructure development ensuring venues, services and accommodation meet demand now, and in the future.

Many of the country’s convention centres are currently undergoing redevelopments or have just finished major upgrades.

Take for example, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Scheduled for completion in mid-2018, their expansion includes an additional 9,000sqm of pillarless exhibition space, bringing the total exhibition space at the centre to 40,000sqm – the largest in Australia.

In addition to this, the plans include a theatre with retractable seating for up to 1,000 people; a Banquet Room suitable for gala dinners for up to 450 people; and two courtyard meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Cairns Convention Centre has also announced plans to expand. Commencing late 2018, the redevelopment will include a refurbishment of the existing centre as well as the addition of new exhibition space and meeting rooms, increasing the centre’s capacity and enabling it to hold concurrent events.

The Adelaide Convention Centre recently opened its new East Building in time to hold the largest international event Adelaide has ever held, the International Astronautical Congress 2017.

The AUD397 million redevelopment has expanded the centre’s footprint to 20,000sqm and features a Plenary Hall that can provide tiered seating for 3,500 people and boasts the world’s largest rotating seating drums that are capable of seating 320 people each. 

And in Sydney, the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) recently welcomed its one-millionth visitor and booked its 1000^th event.

Situated in the heart of the city, ICC Sydney has the capacity to host three separate, concurrent events as well as a plenary for 8,000 people. The centre features the largest purpose-built ballroom in Australia, with banqueting space for more than 2,000 people.

Beyond Australia’s convention centres, new hotels and venues are coming online, for example the 590-room, five star Sofitel Darling Harbour, located next to ICC Sydney, which is Sydney’s first new build luxury hotel in 18 years.

And many more hotels are in planning and construction stages, including the 312-room W Brisbane and 347-room Novotel located next to MCEC, both opening in 2018; the 205-room Ritz-Carlton Perth opening 2019; and W Hotel in Melbourne and Sydney opening in 2020.  

With Australia’s reputation as being a place offering award winning convention and exhibition centres, innovative people, unique wildlife, beautiful landscapes and excellent cuisine and wine, it’s no wonder that the appetite for Australia as a leading business events destination continues to grow.  
Credit photo: Barangaroo Delivery Authority

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