Exhibitions
Our award-winning and iconic venue is perfect for extraordinary exhibitions. With 40,000 sqm of pillarless exhibition space and easy loading access, our functional design, innovative solutions, and purpose-built spaces make our venue ideal for any audience type. Work with our in-house planning experts to create an unforgettable experience.
Explore our floor plans and space capacities guideMeet in Melbourne
Experience more than just a venue when you choose MCEC for your exhibition. Discover a city bursting with culture, creativity, exciting sports, and cutting-edge ideas. A place of unmatched energy and unforgettable moments. Known globally for its festivals and beloved by locals as a foodie paradise and Australia's coffee capital.
Our iconic venue in the bustling South Wharf precinct is surrounded by outlet shopping, trendy bars and eateries, historic sites, and exclusive partner hotels. Melbourne's lively city centre is just a short walk or tram ride away with convenient public transport options at our doorstep.
Melbourne's year-round events calendar promises endless entertainment and cultural experiences. Beyond the city, Victoria's treasures await, from the Great Ocean Road to charming wineries.
Timeline
Stay on track by following these deadlines for a successful exhibition.
Click through the timeline tabs to see when each of your tasks must be completed by.
18 months
Confirm your event booking and show dates with us.
12 months
Send preliminary details to your MCEC event planner including:
Sale of booths to exhibitors
Preliminary show floor plan including catering, if applicable
Stand builder services engaged
Freight forwarder services engaged
Begin marketing your event to attendees/industry
Exhibitor manual reviewed and approved by venue
6 months
Send preliminary details to your MCEC event planner including:
Sale of booths to exhibitors
Update the floor plan with any changes
Share updates on marketing your event
3 months
Send preliminary details to your MCEC event planner including:
Updated floor plan
Your Move In, Move Out (MIMO) schedule
Event risk assessment and public liability insurance information
Catering needs for attendees/staff/crew
Retail offering
On-site ticketing arrangements
45 days
Send preliminary function grid to your MCEC event planner including details such as:
Updated floor plan
Custom booth floor plans
Registration and entrance feature plans
Updated Move In, Move Out (MIMO)
Exhibitor list
Provide schedules for contracted security and cleaning services
2 weeks
Send final event details to your MCEC event planner
Finalise Move In, Move Out (MIMO) plans
Submit floor plans, including custom booths and registration/entry features
Confirm catering requirements and dietary information for attendees, staff, and crew
Confirm the retail offering
7 business days
Confirm any final changes with your event planner.
Services
Our dedicated exhibitor services team are ready to help you arrange additional services, including:
Business support and communication
Technology
Food and beverage
Stand cleaning
Account cards
Coffee carts
Visit our exhibitor resources page for everything you need to organise and design an impressive stand for your event. It's your one-stop destination for support and information.
Share this link with your exhibitors for everything they need to make a remarkable impression.
Security
Safety is our top priority. For events held in the exhibition bays, it's important to have a security contractor present throughout the event to keep everyone safe, including contractors, customers, and employees.
Important points:
Standalone exhibitions can choose any security provider from the MCEC-approved security providers list [0.45mb] .
Exhibitions with space outside the exhibition bays must use MCEC's security contractor, Securecorp.
Having at least one security guard monitoring each open door, including the loading dock, is necessary.
Events classified as high-risk or those involving alcohol may require additional security staff.
Please consult your MCEC account manager or event planner for further information or quote assistance.
Fire wardens
A fire warden must be engaged in these activities
Cooking demonstrations
Pyrotechnics,
Smoke/fog machines,
Hazers, or
Any activity generating heat or smoke.
Their role is to isolate smoke or heat detectors, promoting the safety of exhibitors, employees, and visitors. Please coordinate with your event planner for any listed activities.
Storage
Storage options within the exhibition bays at our venue are limited. Additional storage may be available on the loading dock, depending on availability.
To enquire about storage options such as awning storage, shipping containers, or car/crate storage, please get in touch with your event planner for more information.
Cleaning
IKON Cleaning Services is the exclusive provider of cleaning services within the exhibition bays.
They are contracted to remove waste during bump-in, show days, and bump-out, including kiosk and toilet cleaning. For information regarding cleaning costs, please discuss with your event planner.
Lighting and power consumption
Power and lighting consumption are not included in the venue hire for the exhibition bays. You can request an estimate of power usage from your event planner and account manager. The final charges will be included in your post-event invoice.
Ticketing and registration
At MCEC, we provide convenient onsite ticketing and cash-handling services for your event. We offer benches for box office facilities, staff assistance, EFTPOS lines and terminals, and cash and transport services. However, we recommend engaging a supplier for online and onsite registration.
For details on costs and guidelines regarding ticketing and registration, simply contact your MCEC event planner.
MCEC is here to support you every step-in booking and planning your event.
Here are the services you will need to source from accredited third-party providers:
Exhibition management companies
For first-time exhibition organisers, these companies provide consulting services to support event planning and marketing. Your account manager can suggest local companies to assist you.
Stand builders
Will design and construct exhibitor booths, offering services like carpeting, banners, signage, furniture, rigging, and technology setup for your event.
Freight forwarders
Can manage the delivery of goods and stock for exhibitors. They collect items from exhibitors' locations and ensure direct delivery to their booths on the show floor. Engaging a freight forwarder is mandatory for all exhibitions in the exhibition bays.
Promotional support
At MCEC, we offer innovative solutions to maximise visibility for your event. Here's how we can support your promotional efforts:
Online Promotion
Feature your upcoming event on our website listing, monthly "What's On" e-newsletter, and social media channels, generating higher engagement among event attendees. For more information, consult your MCEC event planner.
Digital Signage
Create early awareness and anticipation by promoting your event well in advance by appearing on our main entry digital screens months before the event takes place.
Venue Signage
Guide your attendees to your event location with strategically placed venue signage. Take advantage of various opportunities throughout the venue to maximise your impact and highlight your event alongside your sponsors.
Partnership Support
Extend your event's reach by contacting our local partners in Melbourne. We can provide a list of partners to get you started and help spread the word about your event.
For more details, please refer to our promotional and marketing support guides:
Internet services
Our internet services are made for success. With built-in resiliency, redundancy, and security, we guarantee uninterrupted connectivity.
Choose from various connectivity packages, wired or unwired, and benefit from:
Unlimited data, eliminating concerns about data charges.
Customisable landing page to align with your branding.
On-site support for prompt assistance.
Settings and configurations
Get unrestricted internet access on all wired and wireless services with automatic DHCP addressing. Public IP addressing is available upon request. Our Wi-Fi networks use WPA2 encryption and advanced 802.11ac technology for secure, high-speed connections.
Food and beverage
Take a delicious adventure and explore our 2024 menus, designed to celebrate the simplicity, inclusivity, and vibrant culture that defines our magnificent state, Victoria.
Our new menus mirror global trends, offering sustainability, inclusivity, and a taste of the local scene with diverse dietary options and local supplier showcases.
Beyond serving food, we celebrate local traditions, aiming to create memorable dining moments. Our support extends outside the kitchen, actively partnering with local producers to foster connections within the community.
We turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil on-site and use it to make electricity. We are working towards making all event packaging fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025, starting with our ban on single-use plastics.
We're also tackling disposable coffee cups by offering reusable metal cups and setting up Drop Pod collection points outside meeting rooms and catering areas.
Breakfast menu
Start your day with a delicious breakfast. Spoil guests with plates bursting with native, local, and seasonal ingredients. Introducing Everybody's Plate – with dishes catering to all tastes and dietary needs without sacrificing flavour and variety.
Download our breakfast menu [1.66mb]
Conference menu
Celebrate diversity in every bite, with something for everyone. Our new conference menu will refresh and inspire your delegates with delicious, well-balanced, inclusive options.
Download our conference menu [3.34mb]
Cocktail menu
How do you capture Melbourne, where culture, creativity, and flavour collide to create unforgettable moments? With our diverse dishes and inclusive packages! Celebrate our city's vibrant community through an array of fun and delicious menu possibilities.
We're here to meet your dietary needs and special requests. Our diverse menus include options for various preferences, like vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. Safety is crucial, so please let us know about any allergies for a secure dining experience.
Our team are ready to accommodate allergies beyond the usual 11 or any other special requirements—just give us a heads-up, and we'll take care of everything.
