Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Narrm, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to Elders of all First Nations communities that visit MCEC.

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Discussing all things safety with Darren Horne Senior Manager Security Safety

We know safety is paramount in the event planning process now more than ever. Darren Horne, Senior Manager Security & Safety joined us for a chat about all things safety including how his team is ensuring every person attending MCEC is healthy, safe and secure.

What are your top tips to customers – what do they need to consider when planning a VenueSafe event?

As always - for any size event, planning and communication with stakeholders is key. The level of scrutiny and oversight from a OH&S perspective for events post COVID-19 will be a huge burden of responsibility for event organisers. Our VSA Team can help reduce this burden in the planning and delivery stage with close communication and collaboration. Our top tips are;

  • Ensure you have developed a COVIDSafe Plan.

  • Have good contact tracing protocols in place.

  • Develop good practice in physical distancing at your event by implementing Covid Marshalls (either paid or volunteers).

  • Ensure good hygiene practices and signage is present.

  • Communicate with customers in relation to entry points and venue conditions of entry.

Why did you introduce the VenueSafe Advisor role to the business?

MCEC identified that the business needed a single source of truth in relation to Covid-19 and infection control. As a result, the VenueSafe Advisory (VSA) Team was created. The VSA Team interprets complex and ever-changing information about COVID-19, workplace safety and the events sector to provide our customers with the best possible industry advice and guidance. Our objective is to work with our customers to ensure every person attending MCEC is healthy, safe and secure.

What are the benefits to customers and how can VenueSafe Advisors work with MCEC’s customers to ensure their event is VenueSafe?

Our VenueSafe Advisors have an incredible knowledge of the Public Events Framework and the MCEC VenueSafe Plan. We will assist our customers in bringing their events to life in a safe manner while observing all the Department of Health & Human Service (DHHS) guidelines around public gatherings.

For more information on how we can make your next event VenueSafe visit: mcec.com.au/event-planning-resources/venuesafe