AIFST23 Annual Convention

Information for visitors

• Facilities and services

  Charging stations

  Power on with work or finish off that assignment at one of our many conveniently located charging stations throughout the venue. You’ll find them at Shed Café, Plenary Café, Goldfields Café + Bar, as well as behind both the Sovereign Room staircase and Door 17 staircase.

  Wi-Fi

  Free WiFi is available throughout the venue using the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre free WiFi. Some events also have a dedicated premium WiFi network. If this is the case, the organiser of the event will provide you with the network name and password.

  

  Parent rooms

  Our Parent Rooms offer a comfortable and private space for parents and children. Located in both the Convention and Exhibition Centres, these feature everything you need to change or feed in privacy and comfort.

  

  Prayer room

  You can find prayer rooms located in Melbourne Convention Centre.

  

  Cloak room

  Looking for somewhere to store your coat, pram or luggage? Visit our Customer Service desk at the Convention Centre Place and our friendly staff will happily lighten your load.

  

  Cash-free venue

  MCEC now operates as an entirely cash-free venue, we kindly ask visitors to exclusively use electronic payment. ATMs are located on the concourse of Melbourne Exhibition Centre near Door 4.

  Download the facilities and services map

  

• Virtual tours

  We're here to make your MCEC visit easy. Use our 360 virtual tours from any device, anywhere in the world.

  Wondering where your conference room is, how close the entrance is to your event, or where to find the nearest cafe? Need a rideshare drop-off point? Explore MCEC before you arrive with our virtual tours.

  Start exploring

  

• Accessibility

  The venue has many accessible features. When you arrive at MCEC please see our Customer Service team if you have any queries or require assistance.

  Vision impairment

  Braille is provided on all room door signage and fixed directional signage throughout the venue. MCEC is guide dog friendly and welcomes any registered assistance dogs into all areas of the building.

  Assisted hearing

  Most meeting rooms within the Convention Centre are equipped with TTA Hearing Assisted telephones and hearing assisted devices available to hire free of charge. To book, call our Customer Service team on +61 3 9235 8000 or email enquiries@mcec.com.au .

  Wheelchair access and hire

  There are accessible toilets, ramps and lifts throughout our venue, including lift access from the car parks.

  We have a limited number of wheelchairs that can be loaned to you for the day on a first-come, first-served basis. We also have a wider wheelchair available if required.

  If you’d like to hire a wheelchair, call our Customer Service team on +61 3 9235 8000 or email us at enquiries@mcec.com.au .

  Assistance animals

  Assistance animals are permitted inside our venue. Due to limited space between seating rows, booking a wheelchair bay with a carer seat may provide more comfort for both patron and animal.

  Wide and accessible seating

  Please contact the authorised ticketing agent to arrange an accessible seat. Please do this before the event, as it may not be possible to arrange on the day.

  We can provide wider seats for use. In the theatres these are placed in the accessible wheelchair spaces. Please contact the Customer Service team when you arrive on site to arrange.

• Accommodation

  Experience Melbourne's vibrant energy with the comfort and accessibility of nearby hotels.

  Did you know we're Australia's only convention and exhibition centre with onsite accommodation?

  • Pan Pacific Hotel South Wharf - Connected directly to MCEC via Melbourne Convention Centre, Level 1

  • Novotel South Wharf - Connected directly to MCEC via Melbourne Exhibition Centre

  Or find your perfect stay within a 10-minute walk:

  • Crowne Plaza Melbourne

  • Shadow Play by Peppers

  • Oakwood Premier Melbourne

  • AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank

  

• Taking pictures or video

  The use of cameras, video recording, or live streaming devices is strictly controlled within the venue, and restrictions vary from event to event.

  Look out for signage and our Customer Service team, who will inform you if there is a total ban on cameras.

  Generally, posting to social media is permitted and, in most cases, encouraged.

  For events with specific restrictions, there will be signage, and our Customer Service team will inform you.

  General rules:

  • Only small cameras for personal use are accepted.

  • Professional cameras (anything with a lens 35mm or over) must be approved on all occasions. Cameras that look like SLR cameras may also be prohibited.

  • In the Plenary and Goldfields Theatre, the use of flash is prohibited.

  • Recording live performances is generally prohibited.

  • If you are a MCEC customer planning to film in or around the venue you must get approval. Complete the request form linked below and our team.

  • You must get approval if you plan to film in or around the venue.

  Complete the film and photography request form