Adelaide Convention Centre has come of age, celebrating 21 years of success both in South Australia and on the world meetings and events stage.
When it opened 21 years ago tomorrow on 13 June 1987, it made history as the first purpose-built convention centre in Australia.
Over the past 21 years, the Centre has undergone two extensions, the most extensive including the distinctive curved glass frontage which faces the River Torrens in 2001. Today the iconic building on the banks of the Torrens River continues to set new standards attracting conferences and events from around the globe.
Celebrities and political leaders ranging from President Bill Clinton and Robert F Kennedy Jr, to Princess Diana and Prince Charles, singers Cher, John Farnham and Kate Ceberano, sporting heroes Richie Benaud, Steve Waugh and Alan Border and celebrities such as Dame Edna Everage, Elle McPherson and Rhonda Birchmore have spent time at the Centre.
Over the years, Adelaide Convention Centre has also attracted numerous major events such as the World Police & Fire Games in 2007 which included 8,000 competitors, the Grand Prix balls from 1987 and 1995, major defence conferences, the World IT Congress in 2002 and APEC (Asia Pacific Defence & Security Exhibition & Conference 2008).
"By hosting these types of events we have helped put Adelaide on the global map attracting influential people from around the globe to Adelaide. In particular we have showcased the state's capabilities in some of our key strategic industries," Adelaide Convention Centre Chief Executive Alec Gilbert says.
"Adelaide Convention Centre is a South Australian success story and a major contributor to the local economy injecting $678 million from its opening to June last year," Adelaide Convention Centre Chair Jane Jeffreys added.
"On behalf of the Board and staff, I would like to thank our many clients who have supported us over the years, recognising our high standards of service. It is a proud day for the Centre which continues to go from strength to strength."
With an enviable reputation globally, the Centre hosts everything from high-profile international conventions to intimate cocktail parties - and almost every imaginable event in between.
It continues to set benchmarks for convention centres around the world with various initiatives including its Go for Green packages - an Australian first - that allow conference organisers to reduce their carbon footprint. Adelaide Convention Centre is the only meetings venue in Australia to offer all event-related products and services in-house, boasting a team of dynamic professionals dedicated to making each event an outstanding success.
Further information: Jodie van Deventer, Deventer PR & Communications, on 0427 408 588 or jodie@deventer.com.au
