Under the southern cross
Business and Exhibitions magazine № 3 (69) 2014
Melbourne has been for many years topping the list of the world’s cities best to live in. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is spread out next to the Yarra River located only a couple of minutes away from the center of this amazing city and twenty minutes away from the airport.
Melbourne is the second most populous city in Australia the capital and the most populous city in the state of Victoria. The city takes 34th place in the list of the fifty largest financial centers of the world.
The first things that come to mind talking about Australia are kangaroos and koalas. In Melbourne koalas can only be seen in a zoo when kangaroos are a part of everyday life. The latter bring many funny moments into the life of citizens. Sometimes these lovely pouched mammals strive to sneak into Melbourne Airport, scaring visitors in the nearest shops on their way. Things happen quite often that they successfully reach an airstrip or even a terminal. That is why a flight delay from Melbourne due to kangaroos is a usual thing.
As for the rest it is fair enough to say that Australia is a lot like a European country. It is fully related to its city, Melbourne. The architecture of this city reflects British influences and the colonial past. The panoramic view over the city that is cordially offered by the observation desk of the Eureka Tower is capable to go to the head of any worldly-wise tourist. Such local sights as the Gold Treasury Museum, Melbourne Aquarium and the Australian National Herbarium will have everyone intrigued. Those who are keen on thrills are welcome to the nightlong excursion around the ghastly corridors of the Old Melbourne Gaol, the top visited urban museum. Melbourne is also home to the famous Australian Ballet. Moreover, the city has been hosting the Annual Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix since 1985.
Over the past decades a large number of the world’s largest companies began opening their offices in Melbourne. Thus, by the beginning of the 90s, business society felt a strong need for a universal complex to hold business events. It led to a creation of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Currently it is the largest center of this kind in Australia.
Till recently, the complex located in the very center of Melbourne consisted of two buildings: the Exhibition Centre (MEC) and the Convention Centre (CEC). The venue has repeatedly become a prizewinner for its advanced architecture. The complex covers a total of 90,000 square meters. According to UFI Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, the rent space equals 41,000 square meters including the indoor space of 36,000 square meters and the outdoor exhibition space which is 5,000 square meters.
The first building projected for conventions (MCC) was built in 1990. The Exhibition Centre (MEC) was constructed in 1996 and took about a hundred and thirty million Australian dollars.
In the year of its opening the Exhibition Centre was awarded the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for public architecture. The aerodynamic treatment of the colonnade canopy, which disperses wind, influenced an outstanding Melbourne architect, Peter Elliott, in the design of the Spencer Street Footbridge built next to the exhibition centre in 1999.
The construction of a new unique triangle-shaped building was finished in 2009 and became the main part of the complex. The project, which was built within the framework of state-private partnership, cost around one billion Australian dollars.
The ultra-modern complex with an excellent soundproof system features a large banquet hall, 32 meeting rooms of various sizes, a conference room for up to 5,541 seats (might be divided into three separate areas), some office, residential and shopping areas, as well as the Hilton hotel.
The complex stretching along the picturesque Yarra River offers more than ninety restaurants and cafes. The parking area can accommodate more than two 2,200 cars.
The centre’s new complicated shape has been repeatedly awarded with various awards in the field of design and architecture. Among the complex’s advantages undoubtedly listed its high-tech equipment, including the latest air conditioning systems, high-speed and wireless internet connection, and advanced equipment for conference rooms. The new complex has significantly expanded the opportunities provided by МСЕС.
The highly qualified personnel play one of the most significant roles in the centre’s work. The data of the fiscal year 2012/2013 shows the complex has over 320 professionals that organize local events and hold world congresses and forums.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is owned and managed by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust.
The exhibition center regularly hosts exhibitions and conferences dedicated to construction, security, e-commerce, decor, healthy lifestyle, the wedding industry and many others. Snow Travel Expo, dedicated to winter sports is one of the most popular exhibitions in the last decade. Within the framework of the project there are fashion shows and competitions held during the grand exhibition, including the increasingly popular ski and snowboard jibbing. According to the organizers, the target audience of the project is solvent groups of society, namely families with an annual income of more than 126 thousand dollars. The exhibition takes place in May, i.e. in the period of the Australian autumn. The exhibition traditionally moves to Sydney once it is finished in Melbourne.
The exhibition centre hosts Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo in August. Representatives of small, medium and large businesses gather in one place to discuss urgent problems of the business industry in the country. ICOM International Council of Museums is considered as another professional event held in September. This conference brings together more than 800 delegates, including leading officials of museums and galleries from Australia and many other countries. Although, the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) with the participation of doctors and experts from around the world remains the most significant professional event. This event is held every two years and is one of the most important in the industry.
МСЕС hosted 1,100 events in the fiscal year 2012/2013. The centre’s total revenue for this year made up to $ 68 million, which is 10% more than the year before. The Convention Centre (MCC) hosted 66 national and 28 international conferences. International events provided around 15% of total revenues the centre received. The Exhibition Centre (MEC) hosted 68 exhibitions that led to an increase in revenue for the city of $124 million.
In recent years, МСЕС twice received the title of Australia's Leading Exhibition and Convention Centre and awarded with World Travel Awards, which is an Oscar in the field of tourism. Russian businessmen are quite often participants of the МСЕС events as well. Russians especially love the fact that the complex is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which provides an opportunity to make a brief escape from the Russian winter right into the Australian summer (which falls for the period from October to April), when there is a very comfortable temperature set at the coast for a nice beach holiday.
There are Wi-Fi access points available in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and all around the city which always allow visitors to stay in touch. In turn, the airport provides passengers a chance to meet a kangaroo before a flight.
Alexey Shaburov,
President of Sokolniki Museum and Educational Centre