Following a nine-year journey, the Adelaide Convention Centre marked the culmination of its two-stage, $397 million redevelopment with a glittering launch last night to celebrate the opening of its new East Building - the second and final stage of the venue’s expansion. Attended by key conference organisers from around the country and Adelaide Convention Centre clients, the event shone a spotlight on not only the Centre’s incredible innovation, flexibility and market-leading capabilities, but also engendered a tremendous sense of South Australian pride, celebrating the Adelaide Riverbank Precinct along with the best of local talent and flavours.

Guests entered the new East Building via the venue’s dramatic Skyway—an elevated walkway connecting the Centre’s West, Central and East Buildings—overlooking a ‘Walk of Flames’. The Riverbank then came alive with a spectacular pyrotechnic, audio-visual and ‘Floating Flames’ show to celebrate the Riverbank Precinct, Australia’s best connected business events district. The stunning flame, fireworks and lighting show was a collaboration between the world-class FCT Flames, the company behind the Olympic flame since the Sydney games, Haycom Lighting and Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics.

Following a ‘Welcome to Country’ and traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the space by Major Sumner (Uncle Moogy) and friends, guests were treated to a true sensory experience that evolved into a technological showcase, highlighting the East Building’s unmatched flexibility and innovation. Guests then entered the venue’s new state-of-the-art Plenary Hall to the melodic sounds of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, who were later joined by one of the city’s hottest young acts, Tkay Maidza. The collaboration highlighted the Adelaide Convention Centre’s commitment to supporting local youth and talent. The latest audio-visual technologies were demonstrated via wall-mapping of the Plenary along with use of holograms.

The building was officially declared open by South Australian Premier, the Hon. Jay Weatherill, with additional remarks on the evening provided by the Hon. Leon Bignell, Minister for Tourism; Bill Spurr, Chairman of the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation Board; and Alec Gilbert, Chief Executive, Adelaide Convention Centre. The evening culminated with guests enjoying the venue’s world-class hospitality with a series of creative South Australian-themed food and beverage stations.

The first major event to be held in the newly expanded Adelaide Convention Centre is the International Astronautical Congress, scheduled 25 – 29 September. The world’s largest annual gathering of space professionals, with more than 3,500 delegates expected to attend, it is the largest event of its type ever hosted in Adelaide. It is also a fitting event for the expanded centre as the venue and city are very much focused on innovation and future possibilities.

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