Research our capabilities to host your event in the Research Our Rooms, Explore Our Location and Discover Our Services information sections
Learn about the additional perks of hosting your event at the Centre for you and for your event attendees
Download Room Fact Sheets, Floor Plans and Photos from our Download Centre
View our Menus and Audio Visual services
View and download our Event Manual and Exhibitors Manual
Read our e-focus exhibition organisers newsletter or latest media releases
Submit a booking enquiry
View general information & Access Information important for exhibitors at the Centre to know
Get directions, maps and parking information from the "How to get here" section
Research our On-stand Catering menus
Download our most commonly used Service Order Forms
Find out about up and coming and past events by searching our Events Calendar
Find out about up and coming events by searching our Events Calendar
Research local attractions and accommodation information in Discover Our Location
Get directions, maps and parking information from the "How to get here" section
Find out about the cafes and outlets serving food & beverages at the centre
If journalists require further information or high resolution images, please contact:
MG Media Communications, Sydney
TEL: 61 2 9904 0011
FAX: 61 2 9904 0006
libby@mgmedia.com.au
19 May 2009
When the Australian International Home Show flung open its doors in 1988, visitors were excited to see not only the latest in home furnishings, but also the newest exhibit in town - the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. Opened by the Queen in May 1988, the Centre propelled the Australian events industry onto the world stage.
Pauline Beckton, the conference manager for the first large association meeting at the new venue - the 4,000-delegate International Union of Psychological Sciences - also remembers the stir the Centre caused.
"The event was voted a huge success, and the Chairman, the late Professor Ron King, was thrilled to be involved in the first large-scale conference to come to Darling Harbour and to show his international colleagues the beautiful city of Sydney."
Ms Beckton also recalls how much harder events were to stage without the benefits of 21st century technology: "We had more than 2,000 abstracts submitted and they came by post in big bags every morning - I don't know how we did it."
"The Centre was the catalyst for the industry's growth. It created a completely new environment and gave the industry the chance to mature," reflects Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen.
Mr van Amerongen says the Centre's groundbreaking decision to provide all its services in-house - from food and beverage through to security and audio visual - was a defining moment.
"As a result we offer an extraordinary amount of expertise to ensure the successful delivery of all aspects of an event, which gives us a very strong selling point on top of Sydney's great destinational appeal and all our venue's attributes."
Another key to the Centre's ongoing success has been its waterside location in the dynamic Darling Harbour precinct. "Everybody loves the way the Centre embraces the spirit of Sydney, and they love the energy of Darling Harbour," adds the Director of International Sales, Annabel Davis.