October 26, 2021 | By Bronwen Largier
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has reconfirmed it will be opening on 5 November but flagged events of up to 5,000 people will be able to go ahead at the venue.
The centre is sticking with its previously announced opening date despite being able to open a week earlier – from this Friday – after the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state would reach its 80 percent vaccination threshold earlier than expected.
MCEC will be able to host up to 1,000 people in fixed seating venues and up to 5,000 in some of its larger spaces without fixed seating. Unseated events are required to allow four square metres of space for each attendee.
“MCEC is recognised as an important contributor to the State of Victoria, and we are proud to have robust COVIDSafe practices in place ensuring we’re ready and able to host events of all sizes safely,” said MCEC Chief Executive Peter King.
“We already have a number of exciting events ready to go, including THE LUME Melbourne, a new immersive digital art gallery and our future is certainly looking bright. I can’t wait to open our doors and get back to what we do best.”
The venue already has some events locked in for the last few months of 2021, including the Venue Management Association 28th Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress and the Starlight Children’s Foundation Five Chefs Dinner 2021.