MCEC named Employer of Choice despite Covid closure

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has once again been named Employer of Choice for the fourth year running in the annual Australian Business Awards 2020.

The accolade comes in a year of immense challenges for the business events industry worldwide, but especially for Melbourne as the city was shut down for several months, and the convention centre forced to close, following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

MCEC chief executive Peter King says the award serves to highlight the centre's ongoing commitment to employee health and wellbeing, and "the culture of support that we have built as an organisation".

“Our people play a big part [in this award]; without them we wouldn’t be acknowledged as an Employer of Choice. I want to thank them for everything they do every day to deliver not just for our customers, but also for one another.”

The annual Employer of Choice awards recognise workplaces that maximise the potential of their workforce through effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.

Workplace benefits for MCEC employees include a range of health, wellbeing and learning benefits such as onsite yoga, exclusive food and beverage offerings and a comprehensive employee assistance programme.

With the onset of the pandemic, the health and wellbeing resources have been further accentuated, including a learning credit programme for training outside of work and support through regular mental health webinars.

“Our inclusive culture, wide range of health and wellbeing activities, and in-depth career development programmes are key to our success not just as an employer, but as a business overall,” said Amanda Wilson, director of people and culture.