20 July 2011

Adelaide Convention Centre generated $30 million in revenue from events and other related trading activities in 2010/11 – a record in the Centre’s 24-year history. 

Events hosted in the financial year delivered a $91.1 million economic benefit to South Australia – more than $16 million over the target for the 12 months.

Economic benefit is defined as the amount of money spent by ACC visitors on expenses such as accommodation, food, tourism and shopping.

Adelaide Convention Centre Chief Executive, Alec Gilbert, said events held at ACC brought 22,500 people from interstate and overseas into South Australia who wouldn’t have otherwise visited the state.

“Local hotels were among the biggest beneficiaries with 101,000 room nights generated off the back of ACC events,” Mr Gilbert said.

“The record year is testament to the hard work and commitment of the 504 permanent and casual staff employed at the Centre, who also managed to achieve a 98 per cent satisfaction rating among our guests and delegates during the year.”

A total of 505 events were hosted at the ACC during the year including a number of high profile international and national conferences.

Despite being a record year, the ACC has still lost out on international and national business because of the Centre’s capacity restraints. 

“The expansion and redevelopment of the Centre over the next few years will make us one of the largest, most flexible and up-to-date meeting places in the world and remove the capacity restraints, which have meant we have in recent years lost hosting opportunities interstate and overseas,” Mr Gilbert said

“The State government’s investment recognises the vital importance of the ACC as a major catalyst for tourism and economic growth in South Australia.