inquiry into new convention centre for canberra · canberra requires a convention centre to be...

PREPARED BY

CANBERRA CONVENTION BUREAU

MAY 2017

INQUIRY INTO NEW CONVENTION CENTRE FOR CANBERRA

For the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

Canberra Convention Bureau 2017 INQUIRY INTO NEW CONVENTION CENTRE FOR CANBERRA

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“The business events sector augments economic activity well beyond directly measurable metrics, underpinning knowledge creation and exchange, innovation and investment among other positive impacts.”

- Deloitte Access Economics, Australia’s Business Events Sector: The Economic and Strategy Value Proposition, May 2014, Page I.


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ContentsCanberra Convention Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Canberra Convention Bureau - Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Bureau Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

List of events that cannot be accommodated due to size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Research and Learning Institutes Group (RALIG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Statement of Support - Palliative Care Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Australian Association of Convention Bureaux Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Statement of Support - Tourism Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Statement of Support - Australian National University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Statement of Support - Meetings & Events Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Statement of Support - Professional Conference Organisers Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Statement of Support - Doma Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Statement of Support - Mantra Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Statement of Support - Questacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

List of Convention Centres built or expanded since 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Request to speak at inquiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Supporting information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21


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Canberra Convention BureauCanberra Convention Bureau is the peak organisation responsible for securing conferences, meetings, incentive programs and other business events for the Canberra region.

The Bureau partners with industry and stakeholders to attract and deliver business events with an estimated economic impact of over $45 million to the region each year. Many of these events are new business for the region and attract thousands of delegates providing city wide economic benefits. Hotels, venues, restaurants, transportation providers, event services and the retail sector are the key beneficiaries, however business events also deliver rich benefits in terms of social, human and export capital.

Canberra’s intellectual, cultural and political capital is a draw card for business events. The Bureau facilitates access to this world of research, innovation and industry leadership through its THINK Canberra program. Underpinned by the Research and Learning Institutes Group (RALIG), THINK Canberra fosters relationships between conference organisers and Canberra’s knoweldge industry.

Committee Members• Mr Jeremy Hanson MLA

• Ms Suzanne Orr MLA

• Mr Mark Parton MLA

• Mr Michael Pettersson MLA


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Canberra Convention Bureau - Board of Directors• Fredrick Arul - General Manager, Hyatt Hotel Canberra

• Stephen Byron - Managing Director, Canberra Airport

• Jure Domazet - Director, Doma Hotels

• Barry Neame - Director, Consec Conference Management

• Jane O’Dwyer (proxy) - Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, Australian National University

• Professor Brian Schmidt - Vice-Chancellor, Australian National University

• Nicole Short - General Manager, Hotel Hotel

• Malcolm Snow - Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Authority

• Rob Stefanic - Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services at the Parliament of Australia

• Dr Mathew Trinca, Director, National Museum of Australia

• Allan Williams - Past Chairman

• Stephen Wood - Manager, National Convention Centre


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Executive SummaryCanberra’s reputation as an intellectual and cultural hub, and the political pulse of the nation, is a key driver for the city’s success as a nationally recognised business

events destination. The Bureau’s position is that Canberra requires convention infrastructure to meet the increased demands of existing business, as well as to capitalise

on new national and international business events opportunities. The destination is challenged by only being able to host one medium sized (500-800 person)

conference with tradeshow each week during peak periods. Canberra’s capacity to host concurrent trade exhibitions is limited, which is a key determinant for meeting

planners. There are further constraints for hosting large gala functions.

Two significant risks are apparent. Canberra is not meeting the demand for large or multiple events at the National Convention Centre (NCC) and potential growth is

limited. Current business clients of the NCC run the risk of growing beyond the capacity of the facility and forcing them to look outside of Canberra for venues. A list of

potential clients that cannot meet in Canberra is listed in this submission. The significance of the missed economic and beyond tourism contributions is much greater than

highlighted. What is not shown is the number of professional meeting planners that are readily aware that Canberra’s facilities (constructed in 1989 and the only centre in

Australia that has not been expanded on) do not meet their functional brief or flexibility requirements.

It is the Bureau’s position that a defined pathway towards a new convention centre is necessary to unlock the potential of business events in Canberra. We believe that a

defined pathway, supported by the ACT government will enable other stakeholders, including private investors, to engage fully in the project.


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“Conventions continue to be a major foundation stone and economic driver of Canberra’s tourism industry, jobs and investment. Opportunities for growth in conventions and Canberra’s reputation as a world city region will improve by capitalising on direct international flights and further supports capacity and route strength. Vision and action is necessary and to not commit is likely to result in missed opportunities for our destination.”

- Stephen Byron, Managing Director, Canberra Airport


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Bureau PositionCanberra requires a convention centre to be built to meet our

potential for the next 30 years. A world class venue for significant

national and international meetings held in the nation’s capital.

Modern, purpose built and flexible in nature, the centre needs to

meet the minimum requirements of a well-considered functional brief

that delivers on the future needs of business events through ample

exhibition halls, ballrooms, theatrettes, plenary halls and breakout

spaces.

• Plenary Hall – with flexible seating for 2,500

• Exhibition Halls, 4 halls of 2,000 sq.m for 3-4 meetings of 600-

800 patrons with a minimum of 8,000 sq.m

• Ballroom – divisible and flexible and able to host 2,000 guests

for dinner

• Meeting rooms – various sizes to meet the educational beak out

sessions of 2,500 patrons in sizes from 20-1800 people

• Theatrettes - to accommodate 250-500 people

• Welcome reception spaces for meetings.

Convention Centre

Skills and knowledge

transfer

Beyond Tourism benefitsTourism infrastructure

growth

Export dollars

Industry investment

Showcasing destination

Research

Networking and

collaboration

Attracting

strategically aligned

conferences


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Bureau PositionThe existing National Convention Centre (NCC) continues to provide significant economic benefits to the Canberra region. The recent reinvestment in the facility enables

the destination to stay competitive in attracting conventions, however will not enable growth in the sector and associated economic contributions due to already limited

availability during peak periods. The short term investment in the NCC was requested and granted at the time under the assumption that a new facility would be built by

2023. The NCC will continue to be well used but will not keep pace with current or future generation facilities of this type.

While previous analysis has indicated a new convention centre for Canberra will generate 700 direct jobs over the construction period, jobs at the facility would likely

double over existing NCC staffing levels. Importantly, the patrons of the facility will largely be from outside of Canberra and will feed the growing hotel stock in the city

and fuel future growth, developments and revitalization.

The presence of a larger, flexible, purpose designed meetings venue that enables us to confidently bid for and host national and international meetings is an obvious

omission in the Canberra landscape. Forward thinking and commitment to a modern centre for the next 30 years is critical to our city’s growth and highly complementary

to other visionary projects such as City to Lake, Light Rail and a sports stadium.

Beyond Tourism Benefits

Contributing to innovation, education, networking, trade and research, the real benefits of national and international business events extend significantly beyond tourism

expenditure. Business events connect Canberran’s businesses, professions and academics to global best practice. The ability to ensure skills and knowledge transfer

in fields like medicine, defence, agriculture, governance, the environment and other areas of strategic strength contribute to capacity building across our economy and

region. More broadly, business events showcase Canberra’s expertise as a knowledge and innovation hub.

An International City

Previous business cases for a new and larger convention facility were built upon aspirational goals of international air access. Singapore Airlines has opened up Asia

and imminent Qatar Airways flights will do the same for Europe. Convention delegate travel support these routes and are essential assets for the destination to credibly

target international convention business. The current venue does not reflect an international city and nation’s capital nor does it support this strategy.


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List of events that cannot be accommodated due to sizeAssociation Name Event Name No of

DelegatesNo of booths or SQM State

Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Ltd ASFA National Conference 2,000 90 NSW

AusBiotech Ltd AusBiotech 800 80 VIC

Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council AFAC 1500 150 VIC

Australasian Podiatry Council (APodC) Biennial Australasian Podiatry Conference 900 130 VIC

Australasian Railway Association Inc. AusRAIL Plus 800 450 ACT

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists ANZCA ASM 1800 70 VIC

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo 300+ VIC

Australian Automotive Dealers Association AADA National Dealer Convention 1000 Large ACT

Australian Dental Association Australian Dental Congress 4800 Large NSW

Australian Diabetes Society ADS/ADEA Annual Scientific Meeting 1500 100 NSW

Australian Human Resources Institute AHRI National Conference 1500 150 VIC

Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association APPEA 2500 delegates

/ 300 exhibitors

9,000 sqm / 120+ exhibitors ACT

Australian Physiotherapy Association APA Conference 1500 - 2000 100 VIC

Australian Veterinary Association - National Office AVA National Conference 1,600 150 NSW

Australian Water Association Ozwater 1,100 10,000 sqm NSW

AUSVEG AusVEG National Confernece 2000 250 VIC

Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand CSANZ Annual Scientific meeting 2300 160 booths plus posters NSW

Clubs NSW ClubsNSW Annual Conference 10000 sqm NSW

Customer Owned Banking Association COBA 900 2800 sqm NSW

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet APEC 4000 15000 sqm ACT

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet G20 4000 15000 sqm ACT

Association Name Event Name No of Delegates

No of booths or SQM State

Early Childhood Australia Inc. Early Childhood Assocaition National Conference 2500 70 ACT

Electronics Boutique Games: Australia EB Games 500 5000 sqm QLD

Engineers Australia Engineers Australia National Conference 2000 3000sqm ACT

Fire Protection Association Australia FIRE Australia 1000 (approx) 4000sqm VIC

Foodco Group Pty Ltd Foodco Conference 700 NSW

Hardware and Building Traders Hardware and Building Traders National Members Conference 1200 5000sqm NSW

Hire and Rental Industry Association HIRE 350 140 indoor booths and 20 large

outdoor stands

NSW

Home Timber and Hardware Home Timber & Hardware Group National Conference 2000 7500sqm VIC

Irrigation Australia Irrigation Australia National Conference and Exhibition 3000 140 booths NSW

Land Defence Australia Limited LandForces 10,000 visitors 464 booths VIC

Leading Age Services Australia LASA National Congress 1,100 4500sqm ACT

Microsoft Microsoft Ignite Australia (formally Microsoft Tech Ed) 3,000 10000sqm NSW

National Rural Health Alliance National Rural Health Alliance Conference 1200+ 63 ACT

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons RACS Annual Scientific Congress 1500+ 60 VIC

Self Managed Super Fund Association of Australia SMSF Association National Conference 1700 60 SA

Steadfast Group Limited Steadfast Convention 2500+ 142 NSW

Tourism Australia Australian Tourism Exchange 700 500 booths NSW

Woolworths Limited Woolworths National Conference 3000 20000sqm NSW


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**Note this is not an exhaustive list. Nationally, meeting planners are well aware of a destination’s capacity to host large meetings and do not include Canberra in their plans. This list does not factor

the vast international opportunity of showcasing the city’s capabilities as a knowledge and innovation hub. ICCA (International Congress and Conventions Association) data identifies hundreds of

immediate opportunities within our region from the 20,000 regularly occurring international meetings from 11,500 International Associations.


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Research and Learning Institutes Group (RALIG)


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Statement of Support - Palliative Care AustraliaPalliative Care Australia (PCA) is the peak national body for palliative care in Australia. As a national organisation with membership from all states and territories,

Palliative Care Australia facilitates national discussion and action on important issues relating to palliative care and end-of-life care. We span state, territory and

Commonwealth responsibilities and also spans sectors through health, aged care, community care, disability care and mental health.

Our national conference attracts 800-1200 attendees from across Australia and the world, with the chosen host cities showcased throughout our programs. We include

local expert speakers, tours and workshops with local health and community care organisations, and universities. Our program represents success through an alignment

of interests between government and our industry.

The National Convention Centre is currently the only venue within Canberra that we can use for our biannual conference, however is it significantly inadequate for our

growth. While it can cater for our number of delegates, it is limited in terms of more collaborative interactions, such as plenary and breakout sessions with roundtables

and an exhibition featuring interactive/virtual zones beyond 4,000 square meters.

Now with direct international air-access, and Canberra’s exceptional range of nationally significant cultural and historical landmarks, PCA would like to co-host

international events in our National Capital, as we did with the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, held in Perth in 2009 (1200pax). Until a larger international

purpose-built conference precinct is built, we will continue to hold our conferences in other capital cities.

Thank you for providing Palliative Care Australia (PCA) with the opportunity to provide feedback on this proposal. We would welcome the opportunity to participate further

in any follow-up process.

Jacqueline Murkins

Palliative Care Australia Incorporated


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Australian Association of Convention Bureaux CommentAustralian Association of Convention Bureaux (AACB) quotes as at January 2017, the AACB’s members had secured 384 international business events on the Forward

Calendar, a 7% increase from the position 6 months ago.

• Attracting an estimated 216,500 international delegates (14% increase)

• Total estimated delegate expenditure = $863m (11% increase)

Key success factors for winning business have been the strength of our professional bid delivery, financial support put forward by state and local governments, and the

industry – combined with the fact that Australia continues to be a safe and highly desirable destination to hold an international event.

Top 3 industry sectors attracted by number of events:

1. Health Care and Social Services (1 in 4 business events)

2. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (1 in 6 business events)

3. Information Media and Telecommunications (1 in 12 business events)

Business Events: Delivering Economic Prosperity for Australia

International Business Events - Forward Calendar

Andrew Hiebl AFMEA

Chief Executive Officer

Association of Australian Convention Bureaux Inc

http://aacb.org.au/exfiles/Delivering%20Economic%20Prosperity%20for%20Australia.pdf

http://aacb.org.au/exfiles/AACB%20FORWARD%20CALENDAR%20JAN17%20(LR).pdf


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Statement of Support - Tourism AustraliaBusiness Events are major contributors to the Australian visitor economy. On average, international business events visitors spend three times as much as leisure visitors

during their trip to Australia. They showcase Australia’s capabilities in event delivery and key knowledge sectors, develop trade and investment relationships, and

are catalysts for information sharing. In addition, business events provide a platform for international visitors to extend their stay in Australia for leisure purposes, and

establishes strong connections that can lead to return visitation to Australia in future.

To ensure Australia remains competitive on the world stage, we need to continually evolve our business events product offering. New infrastructure, such as the proposed

convention centre for Canberra, ensures we can meet demand now and in the future.

Penny Lion

Executive General Manager Events

Tourism Australia


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Statement of Support - Australian National UniversityAs a national capital that is also home to a number of universities, including the Australian National University – which counts amongst one of the worlds most

internationally engaged universities, Canberra suffers from a lack of capacity for housing a variety of conferences including large academic meetings. At the moment,

very few international and national academic conferences take place in Canberra because we lack a suitably sized venue.

Academia and research is by its nature global. International academic conferences are a major component of global research and innovation. Canberra’s reputation as

an innovation city, and as an education capital, would be enhanced by the capacity of ANU, and all universities and research organisations in Canberra, to access to a

high quality, purpose built conference centre within close proximity to ANU. Such a centre will contribute to Canberra taking its place as one of the smart capital cities of

the world.

Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS

Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer

Australian National University


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Statement of Support - Meetings & Events AustraliaRecent research commissioned by the Australian government and Business Events Council of Australia, carried out by Ernest & Young, found that over 37 million people attended more than 412,000 business events across Australia in 2013-14. These business events directly generated:

• $28.0 billion in direct expenditure

• $13.5 billion in direct value added

• 179,357 direct jobs.

The value of business events to the Australian Capital Territory local economy was calculated as follows:

• 16,480 events

• 1,8 million visitors

• $840 million in direct expenditure.

This industry continues to grow across Australia and, over the same period, the growth outpaced inflation with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

This research supported the recent expansions of both Melbourne and Adelaide Convention Centres to ensure that these Centres continue to meet the demand of a growing industry.

Meetings & Events Australia recognises the importance of the renewal and expansion of meeting facilities across Australia to ensure that it is competitive globally, to attract large international events as well as cater for a growing domestic market.

Robyn Johnson CEO Meetings & Events Australia


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Statement of Support - Professional Conference Organisers AssociationThe PCOA is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand with current membership of over 480 practitioners,

and has significant understanding of the needs of business event clients, and the value and contributions of the sector.

Consistent with the overall economic objectives for economic development in various business sectors of the ACT Government, business events assist delivery on key economic development “drivers”

through:

• skills and knowledge transfer through the interaction with local delegates

• attracting strategically aligned conferences to the ACT Government economic development priorities

• networking and collaboration

• showcasing Canberra research institutions such as ANU, AIS, University of Canberra, University of NSW Canberra

• showcasing the destination to the world

• potential for Industry investment once people appreciate the values and infrastructure of the destination.

Conferences as part of the business events sector contribute to economic activity of a destination as well:

• air traffic into Canberra from all over Australia and from overseas

• direct spending on venue hire , audio visual production and food and beverage at venues

• accommodation for delegates at Canberra hotels, motels and other offerings

• transport while in Canberra – taxi, coaches and car hire, and

• delegate spend at Canberra restaurants, cafes and other food and beverage outlets.

Members of the PCOA have indicated that Canberra is missing out on a range of conventions, conferences and exhibitions as a result of their need for large or multiple events at the current National

Convention Centre and potential growth is limited. Therefore, a new convention centre should be a priority infrastructure project for the ACT to ensure that the ACT is maintained on the schedule of

national and international conferences particularly, as there has been a major recognition of the importance and commitment in other states to expand e.g. the Adelaide and Melbourne Convention

Centres, to accommodate and target increased growth in the sector.

The PCOA supports the development of a new, larger, flexible convention centre for Canberra, the nation’s capital.

Barry Neame

PCO-DIR, CEM, PCO Assoc. President


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Statement of Support - Doma GroupInquiry into new Convention Centre for Canberra

Doma Group is one of the larger participants in the ACT property industry from both a development and investment viewpoint. One of our divisions includes the ownership and operation of the region’s largest

private hotel portfolio including extensive meeting and events facilities. Given this back drop I write in support of the development of a new Convention Centre for Canberra.

The current Convention Centre has served Canberra well over the years but it simply does not have the capacity to host large scale conferences & exhibitions or run multiple midsize events concurrently. Demand

from Parliament, Government departments and multi-nationals is not being met due to the current size of the Convention Centre. Cities such as Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane have all seen the immediate

economic benefit of infrastructure upgrades to their convention Centres. This economic benefit comes in the way of increased visitor expenditure along with major investment from the private sector in new &

refurbished hotels, retail and air & ground transport.

Three potential major infrastructure projects identified for the City include a city stadium, a new theatre and a convention centre, currently known as the Australia Forum. As much as I support the new stadium and

upgrade theatre facilities, it is my strong view that a new convention centre will deliver year round benefit to business and be the biggest source of confidence for future hotel developments.

For Canberra to truly compete in the conference market domestically and internationally I wholly support the proposal to have a new convention centre to be taken to an investment ready stage. This centre

should be of a standard befitting Canberra’s status as the National Capital, which may not necessarily require Federal funding depending upon how the project is finally specified.

I note the efforts to date have stalled with the recent costing of the proposed design of the Australia Forum. This halt in progress concerns me as my view is that the current National Convention Centre is being

nursed with shorter term spending in anticipation of a new convention centre being built. Whilst this is occurring, Canberra is being represented only with an ever-aging facility that is competing against newer

specialised facilities in other cities. The facility is stuck in a renovation cycle that is looking at the short term only which does not result in optimised facility planning.

A related issue is that the continued discussion but non-resolution of whether a new convention centre will be built is hindering any major private sector investment in other facilities. Off the back of our existing

conference business, Doma Group would happily invest in a new and larger facility on a site that we control in Barton. While not considering a building of the same scale as the proposed convention centre, our

significant investment decision cannot be made in the absence of certainty as to what the plan is for the major convention centre in Canberra.

This is now likely to lead to the site being used for an office investment instead, closing out this potential opportunity to add further high quality tourism infrastructure in the ACT.

Note that we are happy to provide further information if required. Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission.

Yours faithfully

Jure Domazet

Managing Director

DOMA Group


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Statement of Support - Mantra GroupAs Mantra Group’s Area Manager for ACT and acting on behalf our company, we would like to show our full support in pushing to prioritize this project as a key factor in

the growth of Tourism and events in our community

As you are aware, Mantra will be opening its 4th hotel in our nation’s capital this year and are investing into the development of existing properties with confidence on the

growth patterns seen in recent years. Leisure and corporate market segments have shown steady increases and the stigma of a dull capital city has slowly been shaken

off to what is now becoming an extremely popular destination for both nation and international visitors.

Mantra Group will strive to be a key player in providing accommodation to this growing market and truly believe that with investment into conference and Events

infrastructure, we will intern see growth in visitation which our city needs to sustain its thirst for expansion.

There are over 1500 new beds being added to the hotel mix in Canberra by 2020 as hoteliers are rapidly becoming aware of ACTs potential. All that is required to fulfill

the growth vision is the matched support of government backed commercial and infrastructure development.

Please feel free to contact for further insight or support as this is a project that I am passionate to see succeed.

Warm Regards

James Sharrock

General Manager - Mantra on Northbourne

Area Manager – ACT


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Statement of Support - QuestaconQuestacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre supports an inquiry into a new Convention Centre for the ACT.

Canberra, home to world class research, education, national and cultural institutions that are increasingly in demand both nationally and internationally, requires a facility

that can showcase Canberra’s leaders and thought innovators. The Research and Learning Institute Group (RALIG) strongly encourages tri-partisan government support

for dedicated planning, funding and a fixed timeline for construction of a larger meeting place befitting the nation’s capital.

We, the undersigned, believe that conventions have a significant role to play in showcasing our expertise by inviting the world’s brightest minds to our city and that a new

convention centre for Canberra is the vehicle to realise our potential

Sincerely,

Professor Graham Durant AM

Director

Questacon


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City Year open Initial Cost Refurbishment

/ Expansion

Cost $

Refurbishment

/ Expansion

Year

Auditorium / Main

Theatre Capacity

(delegates)

Exhibition

space (square

metres)

Funding model

Sydney 2016 $1.5 Billion N/A N/A 8,000 32,600 Public Private Partnership

Melbourne 1996 - Exhibition Centre

2009 - Convention Centre

2018 - Expansion

$129M - Exhibition Centre

$413M - Convention Centre

$305M - Expansion

$305M 2018 5,541 40,000

70,000

Public Private Partnership

Brisbane 1995 $170M $140M 2012 3,958 20,000 Government with Management company operating

Adelaide 1987 $39M $350M 2015 (complete)

2017 (in progress)

3,500 10,400 Government and Government formed Management

company

Cairns 1996 $80M $11M

$6.3M

2005

2011

5,000 1,720 Government with Management company operating

Darwin 2008 $110M N/A N/A 1,500 4,000 Public Private Partnership with Management company

operating

Gold Coast 2004 $167M $40M 2009 6,020 6,345 Government with Management company operating

Perth 2004 $225M N/A N/A 2,500 16,600 Privately owned with Management company operating

Canberra 1989 Unknown $30M

$5M

2007 (refurb)

2017 (refurb)

2,500 2,000 Government with Management Company Operating

Wellington 2020 (unknown) $150M 1,100 Unknown

Christchurch 2019 $284M 1,400 3,600 Government with Management Company Operating

Auckland 2019 $471M 2,850 8,100

List of Convention Centres built or expanded since 1989


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Request to speak at inquiryIt is clear that uncertainty around this project is stalling Canberra’s potential around economic investment growth. There is consensus in the business community that a

new convention centre offering increased capacity and flexibility is needed, and it becomes a matter of when this project can proceed. The longer a project of this nature

is delayed, the more it will cost. By capturing the opportunity now the committee has the opportunity to lock down future cost exposure. A similar argument applied to

the necessity of improved transport, by building for the future, should be applied to this project.

We encourage the committee to recommend that next steps be taken to secure an appropriately sized convention facility that meets the needs of the current business

reality, and is built to meet our future national and international opportunities.

Canberra, a city of ideas, innovation, culture and a rapidly developing sense of pride in place requires a window to showcase our transformation to the world. A new

convention centre and the associated conventions that will be hosted does just that by bringing the best and brightest to our door. The opportunity is readily apparent,

the risk of doing nothing places our destination further behind on a national level and with limited prospects internationally.

Consider the extraordinary vision shown by government and the Canberra Airport to bring the world to our city through direct international air access. Conventions

deliver on that vision and provide impetus for convention delegates to visit, share knowledge, connect and engage.


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Supporting informationVALUE OF BUSINESS EVENTS

• BECA – Snapshot Value of Business Events February 2015

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/newsletters/article/?id=the-value-of-business-events-to-australia-fact-sheet

• BECA – Value of BE February 2015 Full Report including ACT

http://www.businesseventscouncil.org.au/files/View_Report.pdf

• Business Events: Delivering Economic Prosperity for Australia


• Deloitte Access Economics Report - Strategic Value of Business Events May 2014

http://aacb.org.au/exfiles/DAE-AACB%20Report%20Key%20Findings.pdf

• AACB Business Events Forward Calendar 2017

http://aacb.org.au/mediareleases/Detail/Convention%20Bureaux%20Drive%20Growth%20in%20Forward%20Calendar

AUSTRALIA FORUM HISTORICAL

• Canberra Business Chamber - Australia Forum – December 2016

https://www.canberrabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Australia-Forum_Showcasing-Australia-and-the-National-Capital-Region-DEC-2016.pdf

• AF Reference Design August 2015

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/reports-and-media/case-studies/article/?id=australia-forum-reference-design-phase

• Australia Forum and its potential economic benefits EY January 2015

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/reports-and-media/case-studies/article/?id=australia-forum-and-its-potential-economic-benefits

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/newsletters/article/?id=the-value-of-business-events-to-australia-fact-sheet

http://www.businesseventscouncil.org.au/files/View_Report.pdf


http://aacb.org.au/exfiles/DAE-AACB%20Report%20Key%20Findings.pdf

http://aacb.org.au/mediareleases/Detail/Convention%20Bureaux%20Drive%20Growth%20in%20Forward%20Calendar

https://www.canberrabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Australia-Forum_Showcasing-Australia-and-the-National-Capital-Region-DEC-2016.pdf

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/reports-and-media/case-studies/article/?id=australia-forum-reference-design-phase

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/reports-and-media/case-studies/article/?id=australia-forum-and-its-potential-economic-benefits

• Canberra The Meeting Place of Australia July 2013

https://www.canberrabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2013-7-01-Australia-Forum-Report-July-2013.pdf

• Convention Centre comparison February 2012

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/storage/Major%20Australian%20Convention%20Comparison%20Report.pdf

• Australia Forum Scoping Study April 2011

http://bit.ly/2pWsSvu

OTHER FACILITIES

• Sydney Convention Feasibility Study September 2010

http://www.businesschamber.com.au/NSWBC/media/Misc/SBC/Convention-Centre-Report-sep-2010.pdf

• Adelaide Convention Centre Commitment July 2011

https://www.dropbox.com/s/chqpowc0opqgmek/Report%20SIGNED%20-%20Adelaide%20Convention%20Centre%20Redevelopment.pdf?dl=0


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https://www.canberrabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2013-7-01-Australia-Forum-Report-July-2013.pdf

http://www.canberraconvention.com.au/storage/Major%20Australian%20Convention%20Comparison%20Report.pdf

http://www.businesschamber.com.au/NSWBC/media/Misc/SBC/Convention-Centre-Report-sep-2010.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/s/chqpowc0opqgmek/Report%20SIGNED%20-%20Adelaide%20Convention%20Centre%20Redevelopment.pdf?dl=0

canberraconvention.com.au

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