CONGRESS VENUE
MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE (MCEC)
The proposed venue is the new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Opening mid 2009, it will be Australia’s largest combined convention and exhibition facility. Having achieved a world first; Six Star Green Star Energy environmental rating (the highest possible under the Green Building Council of Australia’s rating system), it will be one of the most architecturally impressive and environmentally sound buildings in Australia. This Convention Centre is setting new global standards.
The MCEC is located on the banks of the Yarra River in South Wharf, a vibrant river-side district in the heart of the City Centre, surrounded by hotels, public transport and restaurants. Its central Melbourne location means bustling business, shopping and entertainment districts are just a short stroll for delegates.
The MCEC is part of a AUD$1.4 billion development in the heart of Melbourne at South Wharf and will include:
• A five-star 396 room Hilton Hotel
• A maritime precinct
• A riverfront retail promenade, including cafés, bookstores and tourism retail – perfect for delegates to obtain refreshments
• A bridge across the Yarra River linking two significant sectors of Melbourne – the new South Wharf precinct to the Docklands area.
The MCEC can comfortably accommodate the Congress. Its centrepiece is a 5,600 seat Plenary Hall that can be sub-divided into acoustically separate Plenary Halls for 1,500 or 2,500 delegates. The exhibition centre can also host up to 10,000 delegates for a plenary session. Its entry level foyer will be capable of hosting social functions for 8,400 guests who will have views out to the Yarra River through an 18 metre glass wall façade. The MCEC will also offer a further 32 meeting rooms with various configurations suitable for concurrent sessions and workshops.
Access for persons with a disability is a major feature of the new MCEC. World’s Best design principles have been applied to the new Centre. The design has been developed in close collaboration with Blythe Sanderson Disability Management (BSDM) and BSDM remain active in the consultation on internal aspects such as the use of luminous contrast, internal floor surfaces and coverings, stairways, ramps, elevators, tactile ground surfaces, Braille signage, disabled access pathways and entrances.
Major Environmental Design Initiatives include: an expansive glass façade allowing natural light in, solar hot water systems offsetting more than 40% of general hot water requirements and 100% of public amenity hot water requirements, a black water treatment plant and water efficient fixtures and fittings.
The new Convention Centre will have internet capabilities with various bandwidths available up to 100Mpbs, and gigabit configurable connections. All meeting rooms, plenary halls and exhibition spaces have extensive fixed cabling available to provide IP services to these venues. This cabling can be used to deliver various bandwidth IP services as well as VoIP services. As such, the Convention Centre provides ample access for client usage whether it is for webcasting or an individual guest basis.
Wireless Management System – Wireless data coverage is available throughout the Centre covering all client areas. The wireless network utilises the Cisco technology for all access points, as well as for managing and controlling this infrastructure.
As the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) hosts and manages all aspects of their IP network, services are easily configured to meet customer needs.
The MCEC offers pre-installed Audio-Visual Equipment – A networked control system for AV equipment interfacing with the lighting system, “plug and play” capabilities in all rooms, digital projectors in the Plenary Halls, central AV media server and remote monitoring via TCP/IP network, listening loops and PA system, digital IP networked camera for image capture, distribution and video conferencing. This saves Congresses time and money as labour costs and equipment hire costs are greatly reduced.
Interpretation/Translation Services – The Plenary Hall and all medium to large size meeting rooms have inbuilt infrastructure for the provision of multilingual interpretation facilities. Interpretation equipment/hardware is installed by an expert service provider.
MCEC Food & Beverage
The MCEC offers award winning cuisine and an extensive selection of multicultural cuisine. Event inclusive options include healthy options, multi-cultural and special dietary menus, modular kiosks, high quality local produce sourced from regional farmers and vineyards and “Full Service” event catering from boardroom style lunches to multi course gala dinners.
To assist delegates making their own lunch arrangements, the MCEC can offer café style catering at reasonable prices located in dedicated kiosks and coffee outlets on a retail basis. The adjacent Hilton Hotel will also offer a range of catering outlets including a bakery, café, restaurant and bar. 140 retail outlets including branded cafés, restaurants and take-away style catering is also located in the surrounding retail development. 15 restaurants and bars, plus many fast food outlets are also located in the Crown Complex at Southbank which is directly opposite the MCEC.
Leigh Harry, CEO - Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Click here to view MCEC Brochure
