MCEC’s Goldfields Theatre hosted the Chief Executive Women Leadership Summit with the help of an all-female tech team. Photo Credit: MCEC
Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has exceeded
expectations for 2022-23, the first full year of operation since the
pandemic, hosting 694 events, more than 2.6 million visitors, and
generating $805 million (US$518.5 million) in economic impact for
Victoria.
The venue drew 21 international, 70 national and 124 local meetings,
conferences and exhibitions during the year as well as 79 concerts and
ticketed events. The diverse range ranged from a Business Leaders lunch
with former US president Obama, Global Botanic Gardens Congress,
International Air Transport Association, to THE LUME Melbourne’s Monet
& Friends experience, Gift Fairs and Bluesfest.
May 2023 was the biggest month in MCEC’s history, with 89,000
visitors coming through the doors to attend 76 events. The major May
drawcards were Spineweek, Australian Manufacturing Week, The Good Food
& Wine Show and the Rotary International Convention.
MCEC sponsored over A$2.2 million of in-kind value for community
organisations. This included hosting the Good Friday Appeal Kids Day Out
for the ninth year, raising a record-breaking $23 million for the Royal
Children’s Hospital.
As demand for in-person events returned stronger than expected, MCEC was able to once again welcome events from across the nation and the globe and contribute to the Victorian economy. We’re proud of the MCEC team and our partners, who delivered extraordinary events and exceptional customer experiences throughout the year.
MCEC chief executive, Natalie O’Brien
MCEC’s Club Melbourne Ambassadors, together with the Melbourne
Convention Bureau, continued to promote Melbourne and secure major
international conferences for the centre. MCEC established formal
partnerships with the Victorian Tourism and Industry Council to
collaborate on opportunities to support the tourism and business events
sector, and with The Startup Network to help shape the MCEC customer
experience.
Sustainability remained a focus as MCEC launched a reusable cup
programme that will save over 1.3 million disposable cups each year and
help achieve the goal of eliminating single-use plastic and diverting
90% waste from landfill by 2025.