Perth_Convention_and_Exhibition_Centre

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Convention centre in Perth, Western Australia

The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is a privately owned convention centre located in Perth, Western Australia.

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Description

Pavilion interior
Entrance

The centre has a floor space of 16,000 square metres (172,223 sq ft)[clarification needed] and can cater for 5,000 delegates.[1] It contains state-of-the-art technical facilities, six exhibition pavilions, a 2,500 seat tiered theatre,[2] banquet/ballrooms and 23 meeting rooms.[3]

History

Ballroom and meeting room exterior
Western side viewed from Kwinana Freeway.

Premier Richard Court, announced in November 2000 that a contract had been signed with Multiplex after five months of negotiations. Construction was to commence in June 2001 with a late 2003 completion date.[4]

Built by Multiplex at a cost of A$225 million[1] it was officially opened in August 2004 by Premier Geoff Gallop. Its construction was extremely controversial, owing to an overblown budget and an unprepossessing external appearance. It has been described as a "Soviet-era mausoleum" and a "giant grey cockroach",[5] as well as a white elephant whose financial viability has been questionable.[6] However, it made it possible for Perth to host the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM),[7] with heads of state and official delegates of more than 50 member countries.

The Wyllie Group have a 35-year lease on the centre until 2039.[8] It is managed by the Spotless Group,[9] who committed to spend $50 million over 22 years starting in 2016, ensuring Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre remains a major destination for national and international events and provides economic value for Perth and Western Australia.[10]

In 2016 the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre attracted more than 900,000 visitors, including 98,000 national and international delegates.[10] However, a report released that same year by the Tourism Council of WA asserted that the Centre should be expanded with an additional 10,000 square metres (107,639 sq ft) of space in order to remain competitive.[11] In 2019, it was found that the underground carpark was experiencing subsidence issues.[12] In 2022, Brookfield purchased a 50 percent stake in the centre.[13]

In January 2024, the WA State Government revealed plans by Wyllie Group and Brookfield to upgrade the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The proposal includes expanding the centre's capacity as well as building a new waterfront area with direct access to the Swan River with three jetties and a floating performance stage, and a new pedestrian bridge connecting the centre to Elizabeth Quay. Wyllie Group hopes the upgrade will be completed by 2029.[11]

Location

The centre is between Mounts Bay Road and the Mitchell Freeway off-ramp, with the Elizabeth Quay development adjacent to the east of the complex.

Operations

It is the only purpose-built convention centre in Western Australia and can cater for functions of up to 5,000 delegates. The project was aimed at attracting major conventions to Perth, with the state's tourism and hospitality industries in mind.

The centre has two public lifts, one travelling from the underground car park, through level one, concluding at level two; the other from level two to level three.

Events

References

  1. [1]
    "Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre - WA, Australasia". Brookfield Multiplex. 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  2. [2]
    "Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre". City of Perth. 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  3. [3]
    Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre at Citysearch Perth
  4. [4]
    "Green light given to Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and Perth Stadium". Government of Western Australia. 28 November 2000. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  5. [5]
    There's a white elephant in the room – wabusinessnew.com.au. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  6. [6]
    Govt receives Perth convention centre report - abc.net.au. Published 22 November 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  7. [7]
    Venue Archived 16 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine at CHOGM 2001, Perth. Accessed 20 January 2012.
  8. [8]
    Perth Convention Exhibition Centre Wyllie Group
  9. [9]
    Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre Spotless Group
  10. [10]
    "SPOTLESS COMMITS 22 YEARS AND $50 MILLION TO PERTH CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE" (PDF). PCEC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2017.
  11. [11]
    "WA Government touts Perth Convention Centre upgrade pitch, reshaping the city's waterfront". 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  12. [12]
    "The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is sinking and it will cost more than $10 million to repair". 18 September 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  13. [13]
    "Brookfield to buy convention centre". 8 June 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  14. [14]
    "HIA Perth Home Show". Exhibitions and Events Australia. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
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