MCEC recognised as Best Corporate Citizen at EEAA Awards

MCEC recognised as Best Corporate Citizen at EEAA Awards Friday 4 December 2015 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) was this week recognised at the 2015 EEAA Awards for Excellence for its important contribution in delivering the iconic Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. MCEC took out the Best Corporate Citizenship award after hosting close to 80,000 Victorians during the 2015 Good Friday Appeal, which raised a record-breaking $17,109,063 to support the vital work of The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. MCEC Chief Executive Peter King accepted the award, reiterating MCEC’s commitment to the local community through opening its doors and providing support for events like the Good Friday Appeal. “The Good Friday Appeal is an important community event and partnership for MCEC. This is also recognition of the beyond business benefits that are provided by the venue. “Our employees volunteer, they are completely engaged with the cause, the venue is showcased to the people of Victoria and ultimately the kids who require the incredible support of the Royal Children’s Hospital benefit the most,” Mr King said. “I am so proud of the entire MCEC team who are very deserving of this win, for seamlessly delivering such a large-scale event while helping to raise life-changing funds. “In addition, we are now true partners in the Good Friday Appeal family. The supporters of the Appeal including Channel 7, Herald and Weekly Times and 3AW have been a pleasure to work with. “Between us all we have created a wonderful family experience on Good Friday that brings smiles to the faces of all the children involved,” Mr King added. Sponsored and hosted by MCEC, the Good Friday Appeal is the venue’s largest single community event and utilises all 66,300 square metres of space for the Good Friday Appeal’s activities, including a Kids Day Out, Telethon and Charity Gala concert. In 2015, almost 300 MCEC employees came together to deliver the event. Penny Fowler, Chairman of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal praised the efforts of MCEC in delivering this significant event. "We are delighted to see MCEC recognised with this prestigious Award. We are very grateful for the on-going support and partnership from MCEC in helping to deliver this important community event," Ms Fowler said. Contact: Kane Lillywhite, Communications Manager T +61 3 9235 8216 | M +61 410 220 578 | E [email protected] www.mcec.com.au

Herald and Weekly Times Managing Director, Peter Blunden said: "We've been overwhelmed by the success of moving our iconic Good Friday events and telecast to the wonderful facilities at MCEC. “The day has been transformed into a true family experience, and a fitting celebration of the generosity of the Victorian community." Lewis Martin, Managing Director of long-time broadcast partner Channel Seven Melbourne, recognised the importance of building effective partnerships in achieving such outstanding results. “The Good Friday Appeal’s success is underpinned by community coming together. MCEC is an important part of that – by providing a platform for partnerships and people to unite and support the cause. Channel Seven congratulates MCEC for this important award, and we look forward to making next year’s appeal another success story,” Mr Martin said. Sue Hunt, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation added: “The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation wishes to congratulate MCEC for receiving the 2015 Best Corporate Citizenship Award. “MCEC has shown great generosity and leadership by supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, and we are thrilled to hear that their community good-will is being nationally recognised.” The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) Awards for Excellence honour organisers, venues, suppliers and people working in trade and consumer shows across Australia and New Zealand.

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For interview requests or more information please contact Kane Lillywhite, MCEC Communications Manager at [email protected] or +61 3 9235 8216

Contact: Kane Lillywhite, Communications Manager T +61 3 9235 8216 | M +61 410 220 578 | E [email protected] www.mcec.com.au