Wow – What a Year It’s Been!
By Bree Pagliuso|
We have had an unforgettable year and can't contain our excitement. 2023 has given us so much, from welcoming BBC Earth Experience to unveiling Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre to the First People's Exhibition Connection at THE LUME Melbourne- It's a year worth celebrating!
So, what stood out to our team in 2023?
"This year has been particularly special because of our growing partnership with our friends at OzHarvest. The work they do underpins two of my passions: feeding hungry people and stopping good food from going to waste. And MCEC gets to be part of that solution, whether through donating leftover food, being the Melbourne home of OzHarvest's Cooking for a Cause sessions, donating fresh produce grown from Melbourne Skyfarm, through to the lunch 'n' Learn sessions we host together." Sam Ferrier - Sustainability Manager
"In showcasing the art of Australia's First Nations people through an immersive experience, 'Connection' at THE LUME Melbourne highlighted our indelible connection to Country and the magical history of Indigenous ancestors, the world's oldest continuous living culture; it was a deeply moving exhibition that inspired passion and excitement within me for further collaboration as we move towards reconciliation action." Imogen Cowan - Club Melbourne Engagement Specialist
Here are just some of our highlights of 2023
Natalie O'Brien AM leads the way
Our year started with Natalie O'Brien AM taking charge as Chief Executive, bringing in new ideas and exciting plans for our venue.
A global party
The Rotary International Convention turned our city a global attraction, bringing in over 14 thousand visitors. Melbourne's community spirit and commitment to safety, accessibility, and sustainability took the spotlight, giving a massive $91 million boost to the local economy!
Connection lights up THE LUME Melbourne
Teaming up with THE LUME Melbourne for Connection – a stunning celebration of First Peoples art and culture. Featuring over 500 works from 110 artists, the experience immersed visitors in Australia's rich indigenous heritage. An unforgettable experience.
Our Executive Chef, Peter Haycroft, reflects on Connection at THE LUME Melbourne "Collaborating with celebrity chef Mark Olive to create a specially curated First Nations menu. Our kitchen team were introduced to some amazing new and unique ingredients as we crafted a culinary journey that celebrates the vibrant flavours of First Nations produce, blending traditional ingredients with contemporary cooking techniques."
Ambassador squad expands
Our Club Melbourne Ambassador Program gained some stellar additions, welcoming Mandy Nicholson, a Wurundjeri-willam (Wurundjeri baluk patriline) artist and Traditional Custodian of Melbourne and surrounds, is a revered cultural and community leader, industry expert Dianne Smith and scientific luminary Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO. With over 80 ambassadors, the program continues to unite diverse expertise, securing conferences and contributing over $1 billion to Victoria's economy.
Big news: Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre is on the way!
We unveiled plans for the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, opening in 2026 on the Geelong Waterfront. This exciting and unique new venue is part of the Geelong City Deal - a partnership between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.
Our commitment to action
Our Impact Report proves that we're not just about creating unforgettable events! The report puts our commitment to the environment, community, and the economy from the centre. From CO2 reduction to achieving Platinum Certification via EarthCheck, The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is a sustainable development in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and so much more.
"As part of the Advocacy, Impact and Reputation team, I've been lucky to work on lots of exciting projects. One standout for me this year was attending the naming announcement of the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. It was so powerful hearing the storytelling and inspiration behind the name for the venue." - Maddi Devoy, Corporate Communications Specialist.
Helping our customers create an impact
We launched the Positive Impact Guide , an online toolkit for event organisers. It guides responsible event hosting, focusing on traditions, reducing waste, and supporting initiatives like "Cooking for a Cause" with OzHarvest.
All-female tech team shines at the summit
Breaking barriers, we proudly showcased an all-female tech team at the Chief Executive Women Leadership Summit . With an 80% female executive team and a plan for gender equality, diversity is our strength.
New website, new experiences
Our new website is more than just a digital storefront. Complete with planning resources, insights into our amazing venue and initiatives, and stories from our customers and community partners, plus 360-degree virtual tours , all designed with accessibility in mind.
BBC Earth Experience lands in Melbourne
Last but not least, Melbourne scored exclusive hosting rights for the BBC Earth Experience! David Attenborough's storytelling unfolds a fascinating journey celebrating the variety of our world's continents. The teamwork of MCEC, BBC Studios, and Live Nation reinforces us as leaders in ideas and events.
"The year 2023 has been an iconic one for our retail team. We designed fantastic events and café menus with outstanding support from the kitchen team, allowing us to integrate our food philosophy across the entire Food and Beverage division. We worked diligently to deliver successful events, from the Good Friday Appeal to the Bluesfest, Melbourne Art Fair, All Energy, and PAX 2023. With BBC Earth Experience, we designed a zero-waste café, Habitat Café, supporting our sustainability message throughout the entire space." - Chiara Bickel, Retail Operations Manager, Food and Beverage
"This year I had the opportunity to be the Event Planner for the Western Chances Good Business Forum. The event aims to raise funds to support the Western Chances Scholarship Program, which empowers talented and motivated young people from Melbourne's West to thrive against the odds. I enjoyed working with the Western Chances team to bring the event to life. It was great to receive positive feedback from the customer, but even better to hear that they ended up raising more than their fundraising goal!" Katelyn Charleston - Sales & Events Executive
What a year 2023! Every success reflects the strength of our community. We are and will continue to be the heart of everything you do in Melbourne.
Work with our team to make your next event in 2024 truly unforgettable!