Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) will see a return to in-person exhibitions for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions came into effect last year, with The Gift & Lifestyle Fair from 20 to 22 March. MCEC is already able to host events at up to 75 per cent capacity per event space, to a maximum of 5,000 attendees, following the implementation of stringent health and safety measures.

From 20 March, capacity will increase to 10,000 patrons per event space per day, at a maximum of 75 per cent capacity. For events over 5,000 patrons, time-based sessions apply, with a time-gap between sessions. This means exhibitions can operate two daily sessions at a maximum of 5,000 per session subject to latest density limits (currently 1 person per 2 square metres).

Under these arrangements, exhibitions or trade shows can return to MCEC, Melbourne’s premier venue. Since reopening at the end of 2020, MCEC has already hosted live music such as Ben Folds with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Plenary with 1,600 attendees per evening, as well as meetings, virtual and hybrid events. But the return of exhibitions like Gift & Lifestyle is a major boost for the industry.

Darren Waite, Director of Sales at MCEC, said MCEC is thrilled to welcome back trade shows and exhibitions. “At MCEC we are incredibly proud to be acknowledged as a standout venue for Covid-safety, which means we can start the return of business events, exhibitions and conferences at MCEC,” he said. “These trade shows and exhibitions are the lifeblood of what we do at MCEC and it is so exciting to see some of our most valued customers able to fill our building again.”

Gary Fitz-Roy, Managing Director of Expertise Events who organise The Gift & Lifestyle Fair, said that after 14 months it is a relief to see the return of live events. “For us being first, we appreciate that we are on show for so many reasons, the most important being to demonstrate that live events bring communities together and will aid in Australia, Victoria and Melbourne’s economic recovery,” he said. “Getting to this point underlines the partnership approach MCEC have adopted during this difficult time. We have high praise for their team’s ‘can do’ attitude to navigating both important health requirements and the commercial realities of running a show.”

MCEC is seeing a steady and positive return of events and exhibitions in the coming months including the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo in May and The Lume immersive art experience opening in Autumn.

MCEC’s  comprehensive Venue Safe Plan can be viewed here.