Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
{{Short description|Convention center in Melbourne, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
| nickname = MCEC
| logo_image =
| image =
| location = South Wharf, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| coordinates = {{coord|37.8256|S|144.9541|E|region:AU_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = MEC: 14 February 1996
MCC (former): May 1990
MCC (current): 5 June 2009
Expansion: 1 July 2018
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust
| operator = Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust
| surface = 70,000 m2
| construction_cost = MEC: A$129 million
MCC: A$125 million
Expansion: A$205 million
| architect = MEC: Denton Corker Marshall
MCC and Expansion: NH Architecture and Woods Bagot
Masterplan Lead Designer: Larry Oltmanns{{cite web|title=Partnerships Victoria-Melbourne Convention Centre Development|url=http://www.partnerships.vic.gov.au/CA25708500035EB6/0/0902EAD8013746EDCA2570B1008095BC|access-date=28 November 2012}}
| structural engineer =
| services engineer =
| general_contractor =
| project_manager =
| main_contractors =
| former_names =
| seating_capacity = 5,541 {{small|(Plenary Hall)}}
| dimensions =
}}
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), colloquially referred to as Jeff's Shed, is a group of three adjacent buildings next to the Yarra River in South Wharf, an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The venues are owned and operated by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust.
Following the opening of its expansion in 2018, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre regained the status as being the largest convention and exhibition venue{{Cite web|url=http://businessevents.australia.com/en/plan-your-event/news-ideas/MCEC-update.html|title=Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Expansion Update|last=Australia|first=Tourism|date=2019-06-28|website=businessevents.australia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}} in Australia and one of the largest spaces in the Southern Hemisphere.
The total size of the MCEC is 70,000 square metres. The venue consists of 63 meeting rooms, outdoor courtyard spaces, a Plenary that can be divided into three self-contained acoustically separate theatres, the Goldfields Theatre a 9,000 square metre multi-purpose event space with a retractable 1,000-seat theatre and 39,000 square metres of pillarless exhibition space.
In 2017/18, 1,124 events were held at MCEC. These events attracted 950,385 delegates, including 23 international conventions involving 28,750 delegates and 34 national conventions which attracted 38,626 delegates.{{Cite web|url=https://mcec.com.au:443/legal/annual-reports|title=Annual Reports|website=Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}
In 2018/19, the MCEC contributed more than $1.10 billion in economic impact to the state of Victoria.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/extended-shed-now-our-global-events-powerhouse/|title=Extended Shed Now Our Global Events Powerhouse|date=2019-07-11|website=Premier of Victoria|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}}
Management
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre Trust was created in August 1994 with the responsibility of overseeing the construction and development of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. In February 1997, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust began, replacing the previous trust with the added scope of the Melbourne Convention Centre, formerly called the World Congress Centre Melbourne. In August 1997, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust became owner and venue manager of both the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Convention Centre.{{cite journal|author=Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust |title=Annual Report 2005-2006 |publisher=Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust |date=2006-09-28 |url=http://www.mecc.com.au/resources/documents/MCET_Annual_Report_2005-20063.pdf |access-date=2007-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830054748/http://www.mecc.com.au/resources/documents/MCET_Annual_Report_2005-20063.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=unfit }}
On 28 August 2002, the trust was appointed the Committee of Management of the Yarra River Maritime Reserve. The reserve is inclusive of the land and historic sheds located on the south bank of the Yarra River between Grimes Bridge and the Melbourne Maritime Museum. This appointment was revoked in June 2006 as part of the land consolidation process necessary for the development of the Melbourne Convention Centre and associated works referred to below.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust is also responsible for managing and promoting the use of the Royal Exhibition Building in the Carlton Gardens. As a government-owned trust, The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust is responsible to the Minister for Tourism.
History
= Melbourne Exhibition Centre =
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre was opened on 14 February 1996 and is known colloquially as "Jeff's Shed" after the then Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett.{{cite news |last1=Preiss |first1=Benjamin |last2=Harris |first2=Rob |last3=Towell |first3=Noel |title='Jeff's Shed' earmarked for giant COVID-19 hospital and morgue |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/jeff-s-shed-earmarked-for-giant-covid-19-hospital-and-morgue-20200326-p54eab.html |access-date=14 October 2022 |work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 March 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mecc.com.au/www/html/70-mecc-the-complex.asp |title=Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre - MECC The Complex |access-date=2007-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830045444/http://www.mecc.com.au/www/html/70-mecc-the-complex.asp |archive-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=unfit }}{{cite news | title = My Melbourne | newspaper = The Age | url = http://www.theage.com.au/ftimages/2004/11/29/1101577407822.html | access-date = 2007-09-11 }}
The building was designed by Denton Corker Marshall, an architectural firm responsible for many of Melbourne's larger buildings through the early 1990s, and features their characteristic "blade" entrance.{{cite news | title = Denton Corker Marshall Website | publisher = Denton Corker Marshall | url = http://www.dentoncorkermarshall.com/projects.aspx?p=0&projectID=887&catID=13&f1=location&f2=australasia&pg=1 | access-date = 2007-12-24 }} The building was originally intended to be used by the Melbourne Museum but Jeff Kennett intervened during construction to have the building used as an exhibition centre. In 1998 a covered footbridge was erected between the Exhibition and Convention centres, parallel to the Spencer Street Bridge.{{cite web
|url=http://www.arup.com/bridges/project.cfm?pageid=2311
|title=Spencer Street Footbridge
|author=Arup
|publisher=Arup
|access-date=2008-07-08
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004113822/http://www.arup.com/bridges/project.cfm?pageid=2311
|archive-date=4 October 2008
|url-status=dead
}}
File:Melbourne Exhibition Centre-Spencer Street view.jpg
The building has become an icon in Melbourne due to the main entrance marked by a prominent tilted metal blade supported by a pair of yellow sticks in combination with the 450 metre urban verandah, parallel to the internal concourse, supported by a forest of smaller sticks. The verandah and the new riverside park make a major contribution to the public realm of the city.
= Melbourne Convention Centre =
The former Convention Centre on the Flinders Street side of the Yarra River was opened in May 1990 and has hosted thousands of conventions and meetings.
The current Melbourne Convention Centre, on land adjacent to the Exhibition Centre, was opened on 5 June 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/auditor-generals-report-annual-financial-report-state-victoria-2010-11?section=30383|title=Auditor-General's Report on the Annual Financial Report of the State of Victoria, 2010–11 {{!}} Victorian Auditor-General's Office|website=www.audit.vic.gov.au|access-date=2019-07-25}} At a cost of A$1 billion, the development consists of a 5541-seat Plenary Hall that can be divided into three separate theatres, a grand banquet room as well as a [https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-melbourne.html hotel], office, residential and retail space.{{cite press release|url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/30f733ff7b149beaca25711d0080cdc1!OpenDocument|title=CONVENTION CENTRE CORNERSTONE OF YARRA REDEVELOPMENT|publisher=Department of Premier and Cabinet|access-date=2007-09-30|date=2006-02-22}} It was developed by a consortium led by Multiplex and Plenary Group and designed by Larry Oltmanns.{{cite web|url=http://www.vx3arch.com/proj1701.html|title=Vx3 Website-Larry Oltmanns Previous Experience|access-date=28 November 2012}} The centre uses a range of features in order to achieve a 6 Star Green Star environmental rating and to become the first convention centre in the world with that rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.mccd.vic.gov.au/About-The-Project/Design-Features.html|title=Leading Green Design|publisher=Melbourne Convention Centre Development|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110071847/http://www.mccd.vic.gov.au/About-The-Project/Design-Features.html|archive-date=10 November 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=2007-09-30}} The architects for the development were NH Architecture and Woods Bagot.{{cite web|url=http://www.mccd.vic.gov.au/About-The-Project/Design-Features.html|title=Design Features|publisher=Melbourne Convention Centre Development|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110071847/http://www.mccd.vic.gov.au/About-The-Project/Design-Features.html|archive-date=10 November 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=2007-09-30}}
= Expansion =
On 5 May 2015, the Victorian State Government announced $205 million for the expansion of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in the 2015/16 State Budget. This project commenced in May 2016 and opened on 1 July 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/mcec-expansion-delivers-more-jobs-and-bigger-events/|title=MCEC Expansion Delivers More Jobs And Bigger Events|date=2018-07-08|website=Premier of Victoria|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}} The 20,000-square-metre expansion includes 9,000 square metres of exhibition space plus additional flexible, multi-purpose event space, 1,000-seat theatre, multiple meeting rooms, a banquet room and a café and bar.
The building design was a joint venture between architect firms: NH Architecture and Woods Bagot. The expansion is part of a larger [https://plenarygroup.com/news-and-media/news/2018/south-wharf-success-expanded-mcec-open-for-business South Wharf expansion project] by Plenary Group that includes a new 347-room [http://novotel-south-wharf.hotels-melbourne.net/en/ Novotel Melbourne South Wharf] and a new 1,150-space multi-level car park – all fully connected and integrated with existing buildings.
Building design and architecture
= Melbourne Exhibition Centre =
The building resembles a long shed with separated operable walls (each valued at $250,000).{{cite web |url=http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199605&article=8&typeon=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050702082941/http://architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199605&article=8&typeon=2 |archive-date=2 July 2005 |title=AA - Exhibit One - May/June 1996}} This allows the space to be split from a maximum of 39,000 square metres to a minimum of 3,000 square metre spaces. The single volume with a proportion of length to width of approximately 2.5:1 was chosen.{{cite web |url=http://www.umemagazine.com/ |title = Ume Magazine}} Other than the exhibition space, the building also has a basement that is able to hold 1,000 cars.
From the main entrance, visitors would be able to see the 450 metres southward vista of the concourse as well as the mezzanine balconies. On the first floor of the entry pavilion and extending along the mezzanine platform, there are meeting and function rooms which separates the double-height hall and concourse.Davina Jackson, Chris Johnson, (2000), Australian Architecture Now, London:Thames & Hudson, p190. {{ISBN|0-500-34177-X}} Some have large windows overlooking the exhibition.
The site for the Exhibition Centre was previously the site for Daryl Jackson's Museum of Victoria.Haig Beck, Jackie Cooper, (2000), Rule Playing and The Ratbag Element: Denton Corker & Marshall, Basel:Birkhauser – Publishers for Architecture, p188. {{ISBN|3-7643-6161-1}} The brief required DCM to work with the partially built concrete structure. According to Melbourne architect and critic Norman Day, the column-free space could be associated to the Russian Constructivist of the 1920s such as the Vesnin brothers's Kiev railway station scheme 1926. Another relation to the Russian Constructivist is the cantilevered structure supported by yellow steel props as well as the large metal letters arranged over the top of the entrance.
The building consists of two different roof designs which are angled at different directions. This was due to the intention to create two different successful spaces which is the exhibition space and the public space (concourse of the building). By this method, the architects manage to create two different environments, one which is an enclosed exhibition space and another is the concourse which is open to the public.
Due to the brief that required the building to be constructed in a short amount of time and save cost, a repetitive system of identical trusses clad in aluminium sheet were used. On top of that, the trusses have to be solid in order to provide sound isolation from one hall to the next. At the same time, in order to reduce the span, and to stiffen them laterally, the architects tapered them in cross section.
The two rows of columns that are located in the verandah (the building’s long frontage facing the river) are intended to give a subtle separation of the interior and exterior of the building.
The blades which are located along the concourse are coloured in a series of Francis-Bacon-inspired colours, with hall numbers stencilled on. This serves as a double purpose of punctuating the linear volume and labelling the halls.
=Significance and contribution to Australian architecture=
Awards
The Melbourne Convention Centre was awarded the Australian Construction Achievement Award in 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.acaa.net.au/pdf/2010ACAA_winner_MediaRelease.pdf|title=The Melbourne Convention Centre wins the 2010 Australian Construction Achievement Award|date=21 May 2010|access-date=2010-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613131243/http://www.acaa.net.au/pdf/2010ACAA_winner_MediaRelease.pdf|archive-date=13 June 2010|url-status=dead|publisher=acaa}}
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre was awarded the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture in 1996.{{cite web |url=http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199611&article=6&typeon=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908043029/http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199611&article=6&typeon=2 |archive-date=8 September 2006 |title=AA - Sir Zelman Cowen Award - November/December 1996}}
2018 Melbourne Award - contribution to profile by a corporation - Club Melbourne Ambassador Program.{{Cite web|url=http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-melbourne/celebrating-melbourne/melbourne-awards/all-winners/Pages/2018-contribution-to-profile-by-a-corporation.aspx|title=Profile Award – Corporation - City of Melbourne|website=www.melbourne.vic.gov.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-07-25}}
Premier's Sustainability Awards 2018 - Government category for Melbourne Energy Renewable Project.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fedsquare.com/renewable-energy-project-wins-premiers-sustainability-award|title=Renewable Energy Project wins Premier's Sustainability Award - Federation Square|website=www.fedsquare.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-07-25}}
Australian Business Awards - Employer of Choice 2018 {{Cite web|url=https://employerofchoiceawards.com.au/category/2018-winners/|title=The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice >> 2018 Winners – Employer of Choice Awards 2019|website=employerofchoiceawards.com.au|access-date=2019-07-25}} and 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://employerofchoiceawards.com.au/category/2017-winners/|title=The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice >> 2017 Winners – Employer of Choice Awards 2019|website=employerofchoiceawards.com.au|access-date=2019-07-25}}
Notable events
=Melbourne Art Fair=
The inaugural Melbourne Art Fair, a commercial art fair, was held in 1988 in the Royal Exhibition Building,{{cite web | title=Review: Melbourne Art Fair Viewing Rooms | website=ArtsHub Australia | date=9 June 2020 | url=https://www.artshub.com.au/2020/06/09/review-melbourne-art-fair-viewing-rooms-260511/ | access-date=30 September 2021}} started by a group of gallery-owners.{{cite web | title=Melbourne Art Fair announces move to mark the start of the cultural season in 2022 |first=Mem |last=Capp| website=Melbourne Art Fair | date=7 September 2020 | url=https://melbourneartfair.com.au/melbourne-art-fair-announces-move-to-mark-the-start-of-the-cultural-season-in-2022/ | access-date=30 September 2021}} It continued as a biennial event, exhibiting works from Australian and international galleries, with sales of {{AUD|8-10 million}},{{cite web | last=Francis | first=Hannah | title=Melbourne art fair returns with design flair | website=Sydney Morning Herald | date=9 July 2019 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/melbourne-art-fair-returns-with-design-flair-20190709-p525ji.html | access-date=30 September 2021}} from 2003 being run by the new not-for-profit Melbourne Art Foundation.{{cite web | title=Australasia's progressive forum for art + ideas | website=Melbourne Art Fair | date=23 August 2021 | url=https://melbourneartfair.com.au/about/ | access-date=30 September 2021}} The fair was paused in 2016 owing to lack of interest from galleries,{{cite web | last=Wilson-Anastasios | first=Meaghan | title=What went wrong at the Melbourne Art Fair? | website=The Conversation | date=24 February 2016 | url=http://theconversation.com/what-went-wrong-at-the-melbourne-art-fair-55295 | access-date=30 September 2021}} but relaunched in a smaller form in a temporary venue in Southbank.
In 2020 it moved to its permanent new home at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the aim of showcasing both major galleries and "progressive young galleries". However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, its scheduled run in June 2020{{cite web|url=https://melbourneartfair.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Melbourne-Art-Fair-2020-Information-Pack.pdf|title = Melbourne Art Fair 18—21 June 2020 }} had to be instead changed into on online version, running 1–7 June and showing artworks from the Asia-Pacific region from 40 galleries. The next fair is scheduled for 17–20 February 2022.
The fair is endorsed by the Art Galleries Association of Australia (AAGA) and is supported by the federal government via the Australia Council for the Arts and the Government of Victoria via Creative Victoria.
= PAX Australia =
The first international edition of gaming exhibition and festival Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) was held in 2013 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Lucy |date=2012-10-21 |title=PAX Australia Headed to Melbourne in 2013 and 2014 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/21/pax-australia-headed-to-melbourne-in-2013-and-2014 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=IGN |language=en}}
Shortly following the hugely successful inaugural event, it was announced that the 2014 edition would be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.{{Cite web |last=Allan |date=2013-10-20 |title=World's premier games festival PAX returns to Melbourne in 2014 with new venue and dates |url=https://igea.net/2013/10/worlds-premier-games-festival-pax-returns-to-melbourne-in-2014-with-new-venue-and-dates/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=IGEA}} The MCEC has since become the permanent home of PAX Australia, with the event held annually in either October or November (with the exception of the scheduled 2020 and 2021 shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the events being held online instead).{{Cite web |date=2021-08-10 |title=PAX Aus 2021 pivots to digital-only convention {{!}} ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data |url=https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/news/pax-aus-2021-pivots-to-digital-only-convention-1469747/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.screenhub.com.au |language=en-AU}} In 2022, a reported 23,000 people attended the event.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=MCEC hosting two major events for Melbourne International Games Week - micenet |url=https://mice.net.au/mcec-hosting-two-major-events-for-melbourne-international-games-week/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-AU}}
PAX has coincided with GCAP and Melbourne International Games Week since 2014, which is supported by the Government of Victoria via Creative Victoria.{{Cite web |last=Salom |first=Juliette |date=2024-09-04 |title=A decade of play: How Melbourne International Games Week built a culture of connection |url=https://beat.com.au/a-decade-of-play-how-melbourne-international-games-week-built-a-culture-of-connection/}} It is currently the only PAX outside of the US.
=Other events=
- Tanya Chua - Lemuria World Tour - 15 October 2017
- Joker Xue - Skyscraper World Tour - 1 April 2019
- Blockade IMARC - 29 to 31 October 2019
- JoJo Siwa - D.R.E.A.M. The Tour - 16 to 18 January 2020
- A-Mei-ASMR World Tour – 28 July 2023
Gallery
Image:MelbourneExhibitionCentre.jpg|Melbourne Exhibition Centre viewed from Crown Casino. The new convention centre can be seen under construction in the background.
Image:MelbourneExhibitionCentre-side.jpg|The Melbourne Exhibition Centre as viewed from the side
Image:MelbourneConventionCentre-construction.jpg|Melbourne Convention Centre under construction
Image:Crown Casino Complex & Melbourne Exhibition Building.jpg|Overview of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
File:South Wharf & Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.jpg|South Wharf and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
File:MEC Glazing.JPG|Melbourne Exhibition Centre glazing
File:MezzanineBalcony.JPG|Melbourne Exhibition Centre Mezzanine balcony viewed through the concourse
File:TwoRoof.JPG|Melbourne Exhibition Centre two roofs view from north to south
File:MEC Hallno.JPG|Melbourne Exhibition Centre stencilled door numbers
File:Plenary Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.jpg|Hall interior
File:Melbourne Exhibition Centre viewed from the Yarra River.jpg|Melbourne Convention Centre viewed from the Yarra River on 9 February 2018
File:Melbourne Conference Centre December 2012.JPG|The Melbourne Convention Centre in December 2012
File:Melbourne Convention Centre front view.jpg|Melbourne Convention Centre front view
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.mcec.com.au/ Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre official website]
- [http://www.mccd.vic.gov.au/ Melbourne Convention Centre Development website]
- [http://www.mpv.vic.gov.au/Web3/majorproj.nsf/AllDocs/C631E391BF0DEC83CA256C29000E0651?OpenDocument&Expand=3.8& Major Projects Victoria - Melbourne Convention Centre]
- [http://www.dentoncorkermarshall.com.au Denton Corker Marshall Website]
{{Melbourne landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Convention centres in Australia
Category:Tourist attractions in Melbourne
Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Melbourne (LGA)
Category:2006 Commonwealth Games venues
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1990
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1996
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2009
Category:1990 establishments in Australia
Category:Event venues established in 1990