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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