MCEC inspires innovation at Open Space 2014

By Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 February, 2014

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) welcomed three of Australia’s most inspiring leaders in design, advertising and science to its Plenary stage yesterday for Open Space 2014.

 

The free community event, developed to inspire creativity and showcase the venue’s versatile spaces, lead engaging and thought-provoking conversation around innovation from key speakers:

  • Dr Ken Cato AO – renowned designer, founder of agIdeas International Design Week and Club Melbourne Ambassador
  • Dr Cathy Foley – leading scientist, Chief of CSIRO's Materials Science and Engineering Division and Club Melbourne Ambassador
  • Todd Sampson – CEO of advertising agency Leo Burnett and panellist on ABC’s The Gruen Transfer

 

Audience members joined the event discussion via a live twitter feed and Q&A session.

 

Speaking at yesterday’s event, MCEC’s Chief Executive Peter King said Open Space was a great opportunity for the Melbourne community to see a glimpse of what happens at the venue every day. 

“MCEC is a communal hub where people congregate to learn, share, be educated and entertained, which is exactly what Open Space is all about.

 

“Our venue is a wonderful community asset. Yesterday was about showcasing our capabilities and that anything can be achieved in our spaces with innovative thinking and creativity,” he said.

 

Guests who registered for their free ticket enjoyed a sensory smorgasbord of colour, feeling, taste, sound and sight as they grazed through a lively hawker-style food market and urban-inspired installation in the Convention Centre foyer. 

Each year Open Space highlights the creative use of MCEC’s spaces, the venue’s ability to transform for any event, as well as its leading technology, sustainable design and award-winning food made in-house using local Victorian produce.

 

MCEC’s Convention Centre foyer featured colourful sub-spaces and an eclectic mix of furniture, brought to life with living vertical gardens that complemented the venue’s architectural features.  

 

Open Space is held in conjunction with Business Events Week and the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) which is hosted annually at MCEC.

“Business events is an industry we’re proud to be a part of, generating hundreds of millions of benefits, spin-offs for tourism and significantly contributing to the economic prosperity of Melbourne, Victoria and Australia,” Mr King added.   

Source: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre