Australians have shown strong support for the new Melbourne Convention Centre, with predicted national conventions to date injecting an estimated $450 million to the Victorian economy. The new centre, under construction adjacent to the existing Exhibition Centre, will be Australia’s largest combined convention and exhibition facility.

Opening for business in 2009, it will be one of the most impressive architectural and environmental buildings in Australia.

Designed to achieve a Six Green Star environmental rating, it will be one of the most environmental convention centres in the world.

Seventeen large international events are already secured for the centre, bringing more than 42,000 business delegates to Melbourne and injecting more than $285 million to the Victorian State economy.

Figures just released show national support is also strong, with predicted business for the new centre already at more than 70 conventions, bringing 94,000 business delegates to the convention centre precinct.

Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre chief executive Leigh Harry says while some is repeat business, word is getting out about the new centre’s capabilities.

“The experience delegates will receive at the new Convention Centre will be unlike anything they have experienced before from the cuisine to the technology, with a level of service unequalled in the meetings industry.”

The big winner is of course the State economy. International business delegates on average spend five times the average tourist with 57 per cent indicated they will come back for a holiday in the next two years.

Business events are directly responsible for more than 14,000 jobs in Victoria and generate $1.2 billion for the Victorian economy.