Last financial year, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) contributed over $383 million to the Victorian economy, hosted 349 events and welcomed 1.6 million visitors, including the welcome return of international delegates.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos this week tabled MCEC’s annual report for the 2021/22 financial year, demonstrating a growing demand for the return of events.
MCEC’s event numbers, delegate attendance and economic impact for the year continued to trend up after the venue reopened to events in earnest in late 2021.
Highlights during the financial year included the national NAIDOC Awards, Oz Comic Con, Melbourne Art Fair and the Good Friday Appeal’s annual Kids Day Out, which attracted more than 80,000 visitors and helped raise a record $22 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
MCEC continued its sustainability efforts
During the year, MCEC continued its sustainability efforts, launching a new five-year strategy and a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2030, as well as donating more than 6,000kg of food through charity partner, OzHarvest.
The year reinforced the industry leadership status of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, which manage MCEC, with the announcement they will expand and operate the future Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre, opening in 2026.
Up until late 2021, MCEC was home to one of the largest vaccination hubs in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the State’s successful vaccination program. The venue administered more than 280,000 vaccine doses, helping to reach vaccination milestones, protect the community and reopen the industry.
MCEC’s Annual Report 21-22 is now available and can be viewed here.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, said: “Meetings, conferences and exhibitions attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Victoria each year, increasing accommodation bookings and delivering a buzz of activity in our restaurants, bars, shops and tourist attractions.”
“Melbourne is a premium business events destination and it’s great to see planners and key decision makers continue to choose Victoria for their business events, supporting businesses and jobs right across the state.”