15 December 2011

Attracting one million people to 40 public events during 2011, the Adelaide Showground has cemented its reputation as the preferred venue for large-scale public events and exhibitions in Adelaide.

From families attending the Royal Adelaide Show and school children visiting the many
education events, to music-lovers going to the Big Day Out and retirees checking out the
Caravan and Camping Show, the Adelaide Showground meets the needs of many different demographics.

Much of the venue’s success over the past year can be attributed to the hard work of the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre (AEEC) – the business development arm of the Adelaide Showground.

According to AEEC General Manager Grant Piggott, the Adelaide Showground is punching well above its weight when compared to similar venues interstate.

“When you consider that the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre hosted 17 public events in 2011 and the Melbourne Exhibition Centre around 30, you can begin to understand how well the Adelaide Showground is performing,” he said.

Mr Piggott said the AEEC team had been working hard to establish a year-round calendar of events for the venue, regularly meeting with key decision-makers in Melbourne and Sydney to attract new events to South Australia.

“In 2011 we hosted three bridal shows, two community cultural events (Carnevale and Glendi), four major outdoor and lifestyle events (2 Caravan & Camping Shows, SA Boat Show and SA Boat, Fishing & 4WD Adventure Show), two extreme events (Extreme Auto Expo and Monster Trucks), and hosted the Supaloc Classic Targa Rally,” he said.

“Adelaide is now also on the national circuit for the country’s most prestigious public events such as the Good Food & Wine Show; Pregnancy Babies & Childrens Expo, Craft & Quilt Fair, Mind, Body & Spirit Festival and large music festivals such as the Big Day Out.

2011 also saw the Showground established as the preferred venue for educational expos
attracting large school groups, such as The Amazing Bodies, The Da Vinci Machines Exhibition, Science Alive and the National Careers & Employment Expo.

2012 is shaping up to be a massive year for the Adelaide Showground, with 51 public events confirmed. This includes new events such as Supanova, Oz-Comic-con, Professional Tattooing Association of Australasia Exhibition, Mum’s, Bubs & Beyond, Mummy Tree Markets, Mind, Body & Spirit Festival and the Adelaide Showground Fringe Family Weekend.