New Convention Centre reaches for the stars
MELBOURNE – Melbourne’s new convention centre – due to open in July – is being hailed as the world’s best.
It sets new world benchmarks as the first convention centre to be awarded a ‘6 Star Green Star’ environmental rating.
Thirty-two meeting rooms of various sizes, a grand banquet room and a state-of-the-art plenary hall that can be divided into three self-contained, acoustically separate theatres, offers clients unlimited options in event planning.
Sophisticated audio visual, communications and information technology has been installed into every meeting room.
Other stand-out features are self-prompting ‘smart lecterns’ monitored in-house via centralised or satellite control rooms, offering event organisers and guest speakers unparalleled self-manageable capabilities without the normal additional costs associated with the provision of this level of technology.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) chief executive Leigh Harry said, “This will be a truly fantastic building. We’ve incorporated a balanced mix of leading edge design and functionality with a highly skilled operations team.”
Harry also had an explanation for the convention centre’s vibrant “Spitfire Orange†highlight colour choice.
“The architect’s view is that the colour links to the maritime aspect of the convention centre. It is close to the colour of a ship’s hull below the Plimsoll line.â€
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025