Opera singers Dale Burridge and Danielle Everett

It’s taken months of planning and hard work by many, but Canberra’s showpiece National Convention Centre officially opened in a blaze of fireworks last night.

ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope MLA welcomed the hundreds of VIP guests from a range of diverse industries, many of whom had flown from interstate to attend the glittering official reopening. They were all impressed as they were taken on a tour of the new National Convention Centre, which is destined to become one of Australia’s key drawcards for national and local events because of its unrivalled facilities.

Features of the NCC are a ballroom which seats 600, the Royal Theatre that can entertain 2500, 4 further theatrettes of varying sizes seating up to 300, 7 flat floor rooms, 4 boardrooms and exhibition space of 2400m”. As he officially opened the Centre in the beautiful new ballroom, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of the conference and events industry to Canberra. He reminded guests that the industry attracted many millions of dollars in revenue each year through the hotels, restaurants, retail, transport sectors and the hundreds of jobs it creates.  

Matt Young – NCC General Manager, Cindy Young – NCC Manager and Keith Barr – Chief Operating Officer IHG, ANZSP

“But most importantly these conferences and events reaffirm the reason for Canberra’s very existence – as the ‘meeting place’ for our nation,” he said. “We should all see tonight as a celebration... both of the reopening of our city’s biggest meeting place…but also as the dawn of a new era, thanks to the $30 million of ACT Government investment in this building."

Guests warmly received the dramatic changes to the building including the enhancements to both the Royal Theatre, which has become a more flexible venue with the addition of a moveable drapes system, and the Exhibition Hall which can accommodate up to 1500 for a sit-down dinner or dance. The Chief Minister also highlighted the state-of-the-art technical facilities and advanced technology infrastructure, using the latest IP technology in its communication system. Wireless internet access points are located throughout the Centre, backed up by secure cat-6 high speed broadband.  

Stunning architecture and branding complete the new NCC

Guests enjoyed the delicious food prepared by Executive Chef, Ian McInnes and his team in the modern new kitchen which has the very latest cook/chill system. Mr Stanhope said that while the closure of the Convention Centre has impacted on the ACT economy this year, there has been a rush of bookings to take advantage of the upgraded Centre during the next six months and beyond including the National Tourism Awards early next year.

The Chief Minister thanked the many people who have contributed to the project, with special mention of the project management team including architect Andrew Raszewski from GHD Pty Ltd, Michael Riley, the senior project manager with I-Q-O-N and the leasehold and management team from the InterContinental Hotels Group who have waited patiently for the opening.

In the Royal Theatre which will provide function organisers with a more flexible use of space, Robyn Hendry – Chief Executive, Canberra Convention Bureau emphasised the NCC will allow Canberra to capitalize on its location and infrastructure to position itself as a smart choice for business events. She reminded guests that the city is increasingly being regarded as Australia’s knowledge capital and the place where decision-makers and those in the know go. Ms Hendry also said Canberra provides an excellent opportunity to showcase organisations to key stakeholders, key opinion leaders and key political representatives.

Keith Barr, the IHG Chief Operating Officer Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, who continued the tour of welcome in the Exhibition Hall said IHG had a talented management team in place led by NCC Manager Cindy Young. “We will support the ACT Government’s investment in the local economy with the weight of our international sales and marketing resources to drive meeting and event business to the NCC and ACT as a whole,” Mr Barr told guests.

"We share your enthusiasm for what has become a sensational Convention Centre and should be a point of pride for citizens of the Territory. "Australia is a particularly sophisticated market for business meetings and a desirable location for visiting conferences and conventions from overseas. Competition for this business both within Australia and with other parts of the world, is fierce and requires dedicated individuals and teams as well as great products and facilities to capture a share of this lucrative market. "I would like to thank you all for joining us this evening as we mark the next chapter for the meeting and events industry in the ACT and celebrate the rebirth of the National Convention Centre”