Milestone for Convention Centre as international visitors reach new heights

The revitalisation of Adelaide’s Riverbank precinct has reached an important milestone, with the completion of the first phase of the Adelaide Convention Centre redevelopment.

The Panorama Ballroom – the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Centre’s new West Building – has been formally handed over by the building consortium to the Convention Centre.

The milestone comes as figures released today show the number of international visitors coming to South Australia is at an all-time high.

390,000 overseas tourists visited South Australia during the 12-months to September, a rise of 7.5% on the previous year. The international visitors are also spending at record levels – $735 million for the year to September, a jump of 7.2%

on the previous 12 months.

Deputy Premier John Rau said the State Government’s aim was to create a world-class precinct that would become a hub for business, culture, education and entertainment.

“The Panorama Ballroom, with its sweeping vistas of the River Torrens from the majestic SAHMRI building to the Adelaide Oval, will quickly become one of the most sought-after event spaces in the country,” he said.

“Already, almost 600 conferences, seminars and events have been booked for the redeveloped Convention Centre, including 30 events that will bring more than 1,000 delegates to Adelaide.

“The remainder of the redevelopment is expected to be completed soon, with the Convention Centre set to take possession of the central and southern sections of the building in January and February.

“Another milestone in the ongoing riverbank project has been reached with the completion of this stage of the redeveloped Convention Centre.”

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the redeveloped Adelaide Convention Centre would deliver an enormous boost for South Australia’s tourism industry.

“The events already booked will bring more than 70,000 people to South Australia and generate around $188 million for the state’s economy,” he said.

“The State Government’s $2 million Conventions Bid Fund, established a year ago to help the Convention Centre secure more big conferences for Adelaide, has been an important factor.

Source: News Release, Minister John Rau, 03 December, 2014