Canberra will set a new benchmark for Australian events venues with the opening the newly refurbished state-of-the-art National Convention Centre on October 18, 2007.

The ACT Government has invested $30 million in the upgrade which will provide a power-house venue for the national and international markets, with unrivalled facilities, size and scope in the seat of power, Canberra.

The new National Convention Centre will provide conference delegates with a unique experience of Canberra, with a “Sense of Canberra” as a prime focus.

Improvements to technology, security and catering will deliver unparalleled function standards and the refurbishment will allow a more flexible and accessible floor plan to better cater for conferences of more than 600 delegates. This has been facilitated by a new moveable drapes system leading to the Royal Theatre which will enable more flexibility in the use of the space.

New technology infrastructure will provide facilities required for the Centre’s core conference market to enable operation and capacity for video conferencing. Extensive audiovisual facilities, combined with expert technical onsite support will ensure all events run professionally and smoothly.

The very latest security infrastructure will provide the capacity to lock down the Centre, which is now an essential requirement for many government and corporate clients.

The highest catering and hospitality standards will be achieved with a new cook/chill kitchen system and a hand-picked, highly trained staff will ensure delegates will enjoy the very highest standards in service and a memorable experience.

An additional lift and new staircase will improve movement of people throughout the Centre and access for people with disabilities.

The National Convention Centre can cater for 10 to 2500 guests.  The vast Exhibition Hall can accommodate as many as 120 display booths and up to 2500 people can be entertained in the spectacular Royal Theatre.  An additional range of versatile rooms are available for small private meetings, breakout areas and cocktails, regardless of the number of guests.

Features include a ballroom which seats 600, 4 theatrettes, 7 flat floor rooms, 4 boardrooms and exhibition space of 2400m².

InterContinental Hotels Group, the Centre’s lessee and manager, has appointed a new and highly experienced management team. Matthew Young is General Manager, Cindy Young is National Convention Centre Manager and Paul Shaw is Director of Sales and Marketing.

Matthew has over 19 years of hotel industry experience and held the position of General Manager of IHG properties across Australia since 2001.  Cindy has 22 years of conventions experience and was Director of Sales at Canberra Convention Bureau.  Paul has held several senior sales roles, predominantly in the UK and was previously Director of Sales at the Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park and Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury.

According to Paul Shaw, Director of Sales and Marketing, Canberra is the smartest choice for business events and functions.

”With the newly refurbished National Convention Centre, we now have arguably Australia’s best conference and business event venue in a city that has excellent facilities and infrastructure. Canberra is a hub for decision-makers and innovators and it provides an excellent opportunity for organisations to showcase to key stakeholders, opinion leaders and political representatives.

“We are proud of the new National Convention Centre and look forward to welcoming forward-thinking and canny event organisers to Canberra”.

This investment by the ACT Government is a direct response to the increased competition of high quality rival centres in other States.  This refurbishment will restore Canberra’s position in the conventions market and allow it to compete with other major cities for lucrative international business events. Event organisers have already given the new National Convention Centre a big tick, with many queuing to be one of the first to stage their exhibitions, conventions, dinners and conferences there.

Canberra is capitalizing on its location and infrastructure to position itself as a smart choice for business events.  The city is increasingly being regarded as Australia’s knowledge capital and the place where decision-makers and those in the know go.

The city also provides an excellent opportunity to showcase organisations to key stakeholders, key opinion leaders and key political representatives.

As home to the suite of Australia’s national institutions as well as the seat of Australia’s Government, event organizers can ensure their delegates are at the centre of decision-making and have easy access to industry leaders.

The city is also recognized as an innovation hub, with many of the nation’s premier research and educational institutions located there including the CSIRO, Australian National University, John Curtin School of Medical Research and the newly opened Medical Services Centre at John James Memorial Hospital.

With business events attracting over $17 billion in expenditure each year in Australia and further economic benefits flowing on from direct expenditure on  services including airfares, accommodations, restaurants, transport, banking and retail, the new National Convention Centre in Canberra is in a prime position to take a big slice of the pie.