With an impressive track record in winning bids and an ambitious approach to securing future business, it’s no surprise that Melbourne is pumping out event and conference success stories left, right and centre.
The city has played host to a long list of lucrative meetings and events in its time, and is destined to increase its share of both the domestic and international market with the promise of adding a new 5000-seat convention centre to its artillery within the next two years.
A new member to the collection of world-class facilities that already call Melbourne home, the convention centre is part of a $1 billion development encompassing a new five-star Hilton Hotel, an office and residential tower, a riverfront promenade of retail shops, a premium brand homemaker retail complex and an investment in public spaces including a partnership with the National Trust for the revitalisation of the Maritime Museum. Due to open in 2009, the combined venue will be the largest exhibition and convention centre in Australia.
The convention centre will feature a grand ballroom, an 18-metre high glass wall facade fronting the Yarra River, a 5000-seat plenary hall, 32 meeting rooms and a ground foyer with a capacity of 11,000.
Through the joint efforts of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), Melbourne has already secured 12 conventions to be held between 2009 and 2012 in the new convention centre. Nine of these events are for between 1000 and 4000 delegates.
Furthermore, the convention centre will be one of only a few centres in the world to achieve a six-green-star rating, as par a rating system for buildings which rewards environmental leadership. Leigh Harry, MECC’s chief executive says this rating will give the centre a competitive edge in the international marketplace.
“By 2009, Melbourne’s convention centre will set the global green benchmark for public assembly buildings. We are on schedule for this important infrastructure project that will enable Melbourne to compete even more aggressively in the international market for large-scale conventions,” Mr Harry says.
Joining the team at the MECC during this crucial period of development is the new communications manager, Kirstie Bedford, who will be keeping a close eye on the construction of the new centre as well as the generation of future business to be held at the venue once it is completed.
Other infrastructure developments in Melbourne currently include: an extension of the Melbourne Aquarium and the redevelopment of the former fish market site; a new 20,000-seat stadium to be built in the Olympic Park precinct and used for rugby and soccer; a new 500-seat theatre for the Melbourne Theatre Company and a 1000-seat Melbourne Recital Centre.
Melbourne is also looking to amplify its incentives offerings to the events and conference market. In line with this renewed focus, the MCVB has recently released a new brochure highlighting the incentives available in and around Melbourne. This brochure is available from the bureau, either in hard copy or on the website www.mcvb.com.au.
Crown Promenade Hotel
Melbourne’s Crown Promenade Hotel is located in the heart of the Southbank entertainment precinct and directly linked to the Crown Entertainment Complex by airbridge. The hotel features 465 guest rooms in a variety of configurations, plus 18 studios and three suites, the Mesh restaurant and the Tonic Bar. The Deck is the hotel’s leisure facilities level, complete with swimming pool, heated spa pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms, and two outdoor deck areas. Crown Promenade Hotel also has a purpose-built conference and convention facility which is able to host conferences for up to 750 guests and cocktail parties for 2500. For more information, (03) 9292 6688 or visit www.crownpromenade.com.au.
No. 12
One of the must-see venues in Melbourne is No.12. In days gone by, this venue was an enormous Victorian wool store on the outskirts of Melbourne’s CBD, but has recently been transformed into a theatrical wonderland. The vision of William May and Malcolm Cooke, producers of more than 40 international theatrical productions, including The Hobbit and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, No. 12 is testimony to their imagination and flair. The pair has collected millions of dollars worth of sets, costumes and puppets that are now available to help fire your imagination and create a magical location as unique as your event. The venue can cater for groups 80 to 300 banquet-style. No.12 also has a 360° white cyclorama onto which you can project real or fantasy landscapes and then complement them with decorations and décor. For more information, phone (03) 9376 2177 or visit www.number12.com.au.
Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
With 50 conference and meeting rooms, and a capacity in excess of 10,000 square metres of conference space, the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) is purpose-designed to cater for large banquets of up to 3500 down to small meetings. MECC consists of two venues, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Convention Centre. Together these venues provide 30,000 square metres of pillarless exhibition space, 7300 square metres of carpeted exhibition space, a 450-seat auditorium, the John Batman Theatre which seats 1519, the Bellarine which seats 1800 for a gala dinner, plus small meeting rooms for 30-800, five organisers’ offices and hospitality suites, a dedicated media room, undercover parking for 1800 and open parking for 1000. For more information, phone (03) 9235 8000 or visit www.mecc.com.au.
The Chapter House
Built in 1891 in neo-gothic-style, The Chapter House - St Paul’s Cathedral is located in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district, close to all major hotels and theatres. A unique venue for events and conferences, The Chapter House is fully air-conditioned and heated, with lift access and several city car parks available adjacent and opposite. The Chapter House is a chameleon and has the flexibility to be reminiscent of the halls of Oxford, yet can be a dramatic setting for a murder mystery-themed dinner or the enchantment of a romantic wedding. From long banquet tables on a grand scale to individual tables for more intimate dining, the venue can cater for 180 banquet-style, or 200 cocktail-style. Pre-dinner drinks can be hosted in the sandstone courtyard. For more information, phone (03) 9825 0000 or visit www.peterrowland.com.au.
Events Warehouse
Events Warehouse is an original wharf shed with an exterior that has been reconstructed to heritage standards and an interior space that reflects a modern design. Located on South Wharf Road, Southbank, Events Warehouse is accessible via water taxi or boat, or parking is available adjacent to the venue. The adaptability of the venue means events and conferences can host up to 20 to 300 guests for dinner, or up to 600 for cocktails. Events Warehouse also has an outside private plaza area and original wharf on the river and a furnished green room. For more information, phone (03) 9699 4300 or visit www.eventswarehouse.com.au.
Melbourne Aquarium
Located in the centre of the city, Melbourne Aquarium offers groups the opportunity of taking a dive inside its 2.2 million litre oceanarium to come face-to-face with sharks and exotic fish. The dive is even suitable for non-divers. The aquarium also runs Creepy Creatures Night Tours, where groups explore the venue’s mysterious caves with their own headlamps. For events and meetings, Melbourne Aquarium has a range of function spaces, including the Upper Deck on the interactive habitats level, the Fish Bowl which can hold up to 100 banquet-style, or the Coral Atoll which is perfect for cocktail functions of 600. The entire venue will cater for 1500 in total cocktail-style. For more information, phone (03) 9620 0999 or visit www.melbourneaquarium.com.au.
RACV Club Melbourne
Positioned in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the RACV City Club is a social, leisure and business hub. Offering spectacular views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay, the venue’s main conference and events facility can be found on level 17. Seating up to 540, this multi-configurable and pillarless room is great for gala and conference events. On level two, six meeting and function rooms can be booked individually or in a combination of two or three rooms. Movable walls enable up to 180 to be accommodated at a time. The club also features a 31-seat theatrette, 112 guest rooms, eight restaurants and bars, a day spa, gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa, and squash courts. For more information, phone 1300 139 059 or visit www.club.racv.com.au.
Hilton on the Park Melbourne
Enjoy views over historic Fitzroy Gardens and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) at the Hilton on the Park Melbourne. This five-star property has 405 guest rooms, including the recently refurbished rooms on the 17th to 20th floors and executive floor. It also features a Hilton Day Spa, heated pool, whirlpool spa, steam room, sauna and gym, plus the Gallery Restaurant where guests can dine alfresco and the Park Lounge. The hotel’s meetings facilities include 16 rooms of varying sizes. The largest space is the grand ballroom which can cater for up to 1000 cocktail-style or 600 banquet-style. For more information, phone (03) 9419 2000 or visit www.hilton.com.
The Blues Train
Victoria’s historic coastal town of Queenscliff is home to the Blues Train – a unique experience that combines four of Australia’s best live blues performers and the scenery of the Bellarine Peninsula on the Drysdale railway line while aboard a real moving vintage steam train. Only a 75-minute drive from the Melbourne CBD, the Blues Train starts and finishes in Queenscliff, travelling along 16 kilometres of track to Drysdale and back. At each of the stops, Suma Park and Drysdale, guests swap around each of the four carriages where four different blues acts are performing. For functions, the train can be booked out with a minimum of 120, and can hold up to 200 at a time. For more information, phone (03) 5258 4343 or visit www.bluestrain.com.au.
Carlton BrewHouse Abbotsford
The Carlton BrewHouse presents the age-old art of brewing in an innovative and entertaining way. Showcasing the home of Foster’s and other famous brands, the BrewHouse is purpose-built and equipped with interactive displays. It’s the starting point for a tour of Abbotsford Brewery where groups will follow the beer-making process from raw materials, through the unique filtration and fermentation process to one of Australia’s fastest bottling plants. Once groups have worked up a thirst, it’s back to the BrewHouse for a complimentary tasting of draught beers. The venue can also be used for functions, with the capacity to host up to 200 cocktail-style in the function room and 70 in the main bar. It also has a theatrette for 50. For more information, phone (02) 9217 1308 or visit www.visitfostersvenues.com.
Shopping Spree Tours
A visit to Melbourne or Sydney is not complete without a good slice of retail therapy. Shopping Spree Tours has looked after shopoholics visiting Melbourne for more than 20 years, and specialises in fully-escorted coach tours around the city’s shopping highlights. Group tours can be tailored to offer a shopping experience to fit within tight schedules and time constraints, and Shopping Spree Tours has flexible half-day options as well as full day tours, with or without meals. Partner programs for conference delegates, personalised limousines and small group tours are also available. And to add to the overall fun of the experience, the tour bus is a bright hot pink colour – it’s definitely not easy to miss! For more information, phone (03) 9596 6600 or visit www.shoppingspree.com.au.
Rialto Towers
Soaring 253 metres above sea level, Rialto Towers is the tallest office building in the Southern Hemisphere and one of Melbourne’s most recognised buildings. To get some of the best views of Melbourne, groups can take a trip up to level 55 of the towering structure to the Observation Deck. The deck offers spectacular 360-degree bird’s-eye views of the Melbourne city and 60 kilometres out to the horizon. Rialto Towers also has a function room available called the Oriel Room which is located on the southeast side of the Observation Deck. It has views over Port Phillip Bay and Albert Park, and can cater for up to 100 – a unique venue for events and conferences. For more information, phone (03) 9629 8222 or visit www.melbourne360rialto.com.au.
 Becoming a star performer is a dream that many starry-eyed hopefuls long to see through to fruition – and in January this year, a cluster of visionaries saw their dreams become a reality at the Regent Theatre.
Marriner Theatre Events invited more than 100 guests to take to the stage of the Regent Theatre in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD for a night of dining and shining. The event, aptly referred to as ‘Dinner on stage’ aimed at giving guests star treatment for an evening. Arriving via the stage door, guests were served pre-dinner drinks and canapés in the Green Room. Guests were also offered unprecedented access to all backstage areas of the theatre, including dressing rooms, wardrobe and make-up.
Guests were then ushered to the stage to await their curtain call, where the curtain was lifted to reveal beautifully set tables for dining on stage. Once seated, guests could take in the beauty of the auditorium and imagine the adulation from the audience as they dined on a six-course degustation menu specially designed for the evening by the Marriner Theatres’ executive chef, Mark Haynes. Selected De Bortoli wines complimented each course.
Halfway through the dinner, guests were treated to surprise entertainment when Rhonda Burchmore sang solo from the audience stalls, to be joined by Bobby Valentine and a band that wowed the guests as they enjoyed the entertainment from the stage.
The night was declared a success, and guests walked away feeling a little closer to their aspirations of stardom.
In addition to the Regent Theatre, Marriner Theatres’ function spaces include the Forum Theatre and Princess Theatre in Melbourne.
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