The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has once again proven its position as a leader in the industry, taking home Gold for the Business Event Venue Award for the second consecutive year at the prestigious VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards. The Centre also earned Bronze for the Lord Mayor’s Award, further cementing its reputation as a key player in Australia’s tourism landscape.
A Milestone Achievement for MCEC
The Victorian Business Event Venue Award is a highly coveted recognition that celebrates venues offering the highest standards in facilities, services, and event experiences. This win marks another milestone for MCEC, highlighting its significant contribution to the tourism sector in Australia.
Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien AM expressed her pride in receiving the award for the second year running. “MCEC welcomes millions of visitors from around the world every year, boosting the economy and supporting local businesses,” she said. “We pride ourselves on providing world-class services and facilities, and everyone who visits leaves inspired and excited.”
O’Brien further acknowledged the competition, adding, “We’re honoured to accept the award and to be recognised amongst such a high calibre of finalists.”
Innovations and High-Profile Events
This prestigious recognition comes as a result of MCEC’s commitment to innovation, service excellence, and the delivery of high-profile events that shape Melbourne’s tourism landscape. Among the Centre’s groundbreaking initiatives is its newly launched website, which includes 360-degree virtual tours that allow visitors to explore the venue and plan their events remotely, no matter their location.
MCEC also stood at the forefront of major international conferences and summits. Notably, in 2024, MCEC hosted the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, where nine world leaders, top CEOs, and academics gathered to discuss key topics like trade, climate action, and leadership. The Centre’s ability to deliver innovative solutions, robust safety measures, and a high level of service proved vital in ensuring the success of such high-profile gatherings. During the Summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced initiatives worth over $500 million, underscoring MCEC’s influence on Australia’s global connections.
In addition to hosting political and business leaders, MCEC welcomed over 500,000 visitors during the six-month run of the BBC Earth Experience. As the only venue in the Asia-Pacific to host the exhibition, MCEC showcased an audio-visual journey with narration by Sir David Attenborough, further demonstrating its capacity to host large-scale, world-class events.
Commitment to Responsible Tourism
The Lord Mayor’s Award acknowledged MCEC’s dedication to responsible tourism, recognising the venue's consistent efforts to incorporate sustainability into its operations. Notably, MCEC introduced Australia’s first permanent Returnable Cup program, serving over 894,000 delegates with reusable stainless-steel cups, significantly reducing waste.
The Centre also launched an Accessibility Action Plan, collaborating with industry consultants and individuals with lived experience to ensure that the venue remains accessible to all. MCEC further facilitated work placements for individuals with disabilities through its partnership with Alkira, demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
MCEC’s Positive Impact Guide—an online toolkit designed to help event organisers incorporate corporate social responsibility into their events—also made waves this year. The guide empowers customers to reduce the environmental footprint of their events, honour Traditional Owners, and ensure inclusivity, all while elevating the attendee experience through community partnerships.
A Team Effort
Natalie O’Brien AM praised the dedication of MCEC’s entire team, stating, “These awards recognise everyone’s commitment to providing high levels of customer service, attention to detail, continuous improvement, and delivering memorable events every day.”
The MCEC team’s collective efforts in service excellence, innovation, and social responsibility have set a benchmark for the business events industry. With ongoing investments in sustainability, accessibility, and customer experience, MCEC continues to play an instrumental role in shaping Melbourne’s position as a premier global destination for business events.
The 2024 VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards serve as a testament to MCEC’s commitment to excellence and its impact on both the local economy and the global tourism landscape.
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