Friday, May 10, 2013

Melbourne again misses out on expansion funds


Melbourne, 8th May: In a repeat of last year’s developments, the 2013 state budget of Victoria in Australia has once again excluded funds for the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Despite efforts from the Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) to persuade the government otherwise, the state outlined the need to manage financial constraints caused by a weaker national economy and international economic uncertainty.

According to the EEAA, over 50% of the new shows planned in Australia for 2013 are set for Melbourne. A next phase expansion was anticipated to take place within a few years after the opening of MCEC in 2009. The redevelopment of the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) in New South Wales is scheduled to open in December 2016.

Joyce DiMascio, general manager of EEAA, said, “While the Victorian Government has a history of support for the events sector, it risks compromising the growth of the Victorian industry and its flow-on economic benefits to the State. Many events organised by EEAA members are venue-bound. The size and availability of space has reached capacity and Melbourne risks turning away new business and larger exhibitions.”

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