Australia’s largest convention and exhibition centre, MCEC, hosted over 76 events during May, including manufacturing, hospitality, health, business, industry and consumer events.

Events hosted at MCEC have a ripple effect across Victoria, with MCEC employing close to 1,000 people and supporting over 1,700 suppliers and businesses in the operation and delivery of these events. MCEC works with over 600 food and beverage vendors to source produce sustainably in Victoria.

The month kicked off with Spineweek, which brought together 1,500 clinicians and scientists from around the world to foster scientific collaboration.

FoodService Australia, the leading hospitality and food trade event, was held at MCEC over three days. Over 8,000 industry professionals gathered to discover new ideas, products and suppliers, attend conferences and compete in the ‘Chef of the Year’ competition.

Australian Manufacturing Week brought together nearly 16,000 attendees from 29 different countries and showcased innovations, technologies and equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector.

The Good Food & Wine Show attracted over 26,000 attendees from across the State to MCEC to watch their favourite celebrity chefs cook, participate in masterclasses and sample Australian produce and wines.

Finally, at the end of May, MCEC hosted the Rotary International Convention, which attracted over 14,000 international delegates to Melbourne and delivered over $91 million to the local economy. This major event took over the entire MCEC and Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne and Olympic Parks, with activations throughout the city. The event bid was led by Melbourne Convention Bureau, with the support of the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia.

These events directly contribute to the local economy, leaving a lasting legacy on the community and solidifying Melbourne’s reputation as a global knowledge and cultural hub. The diversity of events held at MCEC throughout the year showcases the city’s vibrant and inclusive culture, attracting visitors from all over the world. MCEC’s state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to sustainability make it a top choice for event organisers looking to positively impact both their attendees and the environment.

Victorian Minister of Sports Tourism and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said, “Business events keep our hotels full, our restaurants buzzing, and our economy strong – no one does events quite like Victoria.”

“MCEC is a key event destination, and I congratulate the entire team for playing a role in attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state, supporting local businesses and jobs.”

MCEC CEO Natalie O’Brian said, “In the first full year of operation post-COVID, MCEC has seen an enthusiastic return to in-person events, demonstrating our ability to bounce back and offer exceptional experiences for our customers. The strong industry demand reinforces Melbourne’s reputation as a leading international events destination.”

“We are proud to host major business events at MCEC that welcome industry leaders from a range of different fields to connect, collaborate and discuss important issues, leading to breakthrough research and leading social policy.”

“Our expert team ensure that each event is executed seamlessly, delivering bespoke experiences for our customers and leaving a lasting impression on attendees. We look forward to continuing to provide world-class events at MCEC.”