MELB PARK ON SHOW AT IBTM
CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park - the city’s new events centre - will be on show at IBTM World Barcelona from 19-21 Nov.
Scheduled for completion in late 2021, CENTREPIECE (pictured) will be architecturally designed to embody Australia’s native landscape.
Part of a multi-year $972 million redevelopment, CENTREPIECE will be set only minutes from downtown Melbourne, with the design to stream natural light across the venue through its floor-toceiling windows.
Offering both indoor and outdoor function spaces, CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park will be able to cater for anywhere between 10 and 3,000 guests, with the main ballroom able to seat up to 1,400 and be configured for a variety of sizes of events.
“Our newest venue is set to enhance our city’s marvellous moments, and we can’t wait to guide delegates at IBTM World on how it can transform their upcoming events through a truly Aussie experience,” said Melbourne & Olympic Parks General Manager Premier Events & Experiences Lara Burnes.
“CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park will join our impressive line-up of world-class venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena.
“We are already seeing our vision come to life, with construction starting this month on the steel skeleton of the building.”
The new development will incorporate a “paddock to plate” philosophy, which will see the kitchen and culinary team produce bespoke dishes using locally sourced and seasonal produce, complete with Victorian wines, locally brewed beers, small batch spirits and premium Melbourne-based coffee roasters.
Bookings for CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park are now open for Feb 2022 and beyond.
MEANWHILE, IBTM World reported a surge in the number of first-time exhibitors, with over double 2018’s number.
Of the 2,601 total exhibitors attending the event this year, over 35 have never attended before, with countries represented for the first time this year including Azerbaijan, Croatia, Greece and South Korea; China’s Macau region and the Spanish island of Mallorca will also make their debut appearance.
New exhibitors this year include The Hoxton, Israel Ministry of Tourism, The Gleneagles Hotel, Renfe, Goyang Convention and Visitors Bureau, Maison Albar Hotels and Silver Tours, and Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau.