The Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) celebrated more than $1 billion in economic benefit to South Australia since its opening in 1987, with the hosting of the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) last week.
The AIEC brought together 1,100 delegates from 34 countries around the world to examine the latest challenges and trends in international education.
The conference was hosted jointly by IDP Education and the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA).
Bringing the AIEC to Adelaide was a big coup for the Centre as South Australia continues its focus on becoming the education State.
IDP Education Conference Manager Davina Park said IDP Education congratulates the Adelaide Convention Centre for passing this very significant landmark.
“Adelaide proved to be a strong draw for bringing delegates from interstate and internationally, so we were delighted to be holding the 2011 Australian International Education Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre,” she said.
“We are thankful for the strong support we had from the centre and from South Australia’s very active international education industry.”
It was a double celebration also for ACC as they announced a record year in the Centre’s financial history.
The ACC generated more than $90 million in economic benefit to South Australia in the past financial year including a record $30.2 million in income from event and other trading activities.
And it is estimated that following Stage Two of the ACC expansion, the Centre will generate an additional $76 million per annum and an additional 1,784 jobs on average per annum.
ACC Chief Executive Alec Gilbert said the Centre generated $91.1 million in economic benefits for the State ($16 million more than its target) through events in the past financial year.
“It’s an outstanding result that we’re incredibly proud of. We’ve attracted approximately 22 500 visitors to South Australia, who would not otherwise have visited, and generated more than 101,000 hotel bed nights.”
Tourism Minister John Rau congratulated the ACC on its milestone and said this year’s record-breaking performance highlighted the importance of the convention centre upgrade, due to begin this year.
“The enormous economic benefit brought to South Australia by the ACC underlines the potential that can be unlocked by the $350 million upgrade,” Mr Rau said.
In the past financial year, the ACC:
- Held a total of 505 events including four international events and 45 national events
- Attracted more than 328 000 people/delegates to events
- Held 239 dinners, attended by a total of more than 77 000 guests
- Achieved repeat client business of 59%
- Achieved 98% positive client feedback
