The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is the largest and most versatile convention and exhibition venue in the Southern Hemisphere, skilfully designed to emulate some of Melbourne’s famous landmarks and rich maritime history.
Built from the ground up with the environment in mind, the Melbourne Convention Centre is the first, and one and only ‘6 Star Green Star’ convention centre in the world, representing world leadership in best practice, innovation and sustainability.
To request a MCEC Student Guided Tour, please download and fill in the 'MCEC Student Guided Request Form' below and email it to customerservice@mcec.com.au
An MCEC customer service representative will contact you shortly to discuss your request.
Detailed information about the Melbourne Convention Centre is contained in the links below.
To prepare for your MCEC Student Guided Tour, please download and print copies of the PDF: 'Your Guide to the Melbourne Convention Centre' and bring the copies with you on your guided tour.
Thank you. We look forward to welcoming to you to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
History of the Melbourne Convention Centre
In April 2004, the state government of Victoria announced it would support the development of a new convention centre to allow Melbourne to compete against other global cities for large scale conventions.
In February 2006, after a competitive tender process, the state government announced that it had selected a consortium led by Plenary Group to develop the new centre as a public private partnership project under the Partnerships Victoria framework.
Plenary Group were responsible for:
- designing, constructing and financing the convention centre;
- providing facilities management services;
- designing and constructing a pedestrian bridge (Seafarers Bridge) across the Yarra River that links the
- convention centre precinct with the Docklands;
- developing the western end of the site to create a lively precinct.
Construction by consortium member Multiplex started in May 2006 with practical completion reached in December 2008 . The convention centre officially opened business on 22 June 2009.
Project Partners
www.mcec.com.au
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) operates the centre and work with the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) to attract new convention business.
www.diird.vic.gov.au
The Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) were the lead department for the convention centre project.
www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au
Major Projects Victoria were responsible for construction of the Melbourne Convention Centre.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
The City of Melbourne contributed $43 million towards the development of pedestrian bridge linking the South Wharf precinct to the north bank, municipal works and the marketing of the convention centre.
www.plenarygroup.com
The centre and adjacent commercial precinct was developed on the government’s behalf by a consortium led by Plenary Group.
www.multiplex.biz
Consortium member, Multiplex Constructions built the new centre and the adjoining Hilton hotel.
www.mcvb.com.au
The MCVB work with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) to win business for the Melbourne Convention Centre.
Economic Benefits of the Melbourne Convention Centre
The Melbourne Convention Centre development is anticipated to inject around AUD200 million a year into Victoria’s economy for the next 25 years - a $5 billion boost to the Victorian economy. The investment will create another 2500 new jobs on top of the almost 1800 created during construction of the centre and commercial precinct in South Wharf.
Delegates attending conventions and business meetings generate economic activity by visiting regional Victoria, consuming local produce, staying in hotels, attending cultural facilities and best of all, the majority are likely to return within two years as leisure tourists.
In addition to the economic benefits, business events also:
- promote Victorian expertise and innovation to the world;
- promote Victorian expertise and innovation to the world;
- attract world leaders and investment decision makers who would otherwise not come to Melbourne;
- provide the world’s best educational opportunities for young Victorian professionals;
- build professional business networks between Victoria and international companies and associations.
Melbourne Convention Centre Development FAQs
Why did Victoria need a new convention centre?
Victoria needed a convention centre with greater capacity to allow Melbourne to compete against other global cities for large-scale conventions.
How much did the convention centre development cost?
The Victorian Government committed $370 million towards construction costs for the convention centre.
The City of Melbourne contributed $43 million towards the development of the footbridge linking the precinct to the north bank, municipal works and the marketing of the centre.
The government's private partners, Plenary Group, estimates the total value of the development including the commercial elements to be around $1.4 billion.
Where is the Melbourne Convention Centre?
The Melbourne Convention Centre is located in South Wharf on the banks of the Yarra River in central Melbourne. The convention centre has been fully integrated with the existing exhibition centre to create the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the largest and most versatile convention and exhibition space in the Southern Hemisphere.
What design features helped the new convention centre achieve a ‘6 Star Green Star’ environmental rating?
The ‘6 Star Green Star’ environmental rating is the highest possible under the Australian Green Building Council's rating system for a convention centre.
Environmental initiatives include a black-water treatment facility that recycles waste water to supply the toilets, cooling towers and irrigate landscapes; solar hot water panels that provide 100% of public amenity hot water requirements; an expansive glass facade which provides views of the Yarra and Melbourne skyline and allows a high degree of diffused natural light; the sustainable use of building materials; and radiant slab heating and cooling.
Melbourne Convention Centre Media Release Archive