Manchester Central cleared for take-off to manage event spaces at Runway Visitor Park
1 HR AGO - UK convention complex, Manchester Central, has announced that it will be delivering events and Expand
1 HR AGO - UK convention complex, Manchester Central, has announced that it will be delivering events and hospitality services at Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park and Concorde Conference Centre. Home to the Concorde aircraft, the Concorde Conference Centre can host dinners, conferences, weddings and parties for up to 700 people. Shaun Hinds, chief executive at Manchester Central said: “We are absolutely delighted to be moving forward with this new opportunity. The Concorde Conference Centre is the perfect complementary offer to our iconic city centre convention centre. “We must embrace every opportunity to inject confidence into our industry and showcase the role events play in bringing people together to celebrate, learn and do business. This addition to our offer will give us even greater scope to do just that. We’re working hard on our preparations and can’t wait to deliver fantastic events at this unique venue later in the year.” Matt Etchells, group head of hospitality at Collapse
Melbourne CEC steps up the virtual pace with Stage 4 restrictions in place until 13 September
6 HRS AGO - As Victoria state appears to be the worst affected region of Australia for coronavirus currently, Expand
6 HRS AGO - As Victoria state appears to be the worst affected region of Australia for coronavirus currently, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is leveraging its technical expertise to push its virtual event offering to the fore to help customers connect with their audiences. From ticketed online events to corporate launches, large-scale conferences and even virtual gala dinners, MCEC is offering an elevated virtual experience with high production values to match. MCEC has invested in purpose-built studios that allow for scalable events – from a more intimate fireside chat, to a panel discussion of up to six presenters. There’s also has the capacity to host live-streaming across multiple spaces that allow for a hybrid of virtual and in-person events, for when restrictions ease. MCEC chief executive Peter King says: “While we can’t meet in person or use our studios under current restrictions in Melbourne at the moment, we’re offering our customers solutions on the other side of Collapse
Absolute occupancy levels for London hotels in July lowest on STR records
1 DAY AGO - Hospitality industry data benchmarking company STR’s preliminary July data for London hotels Expand
1 DAY AGO - Hospitality industry data benchmarking company STR’s preliminary July data for London hotels showed record low occupancy for July 2020. In comparison with July 2019, occupancy dropped by 74.8% to 22.8%. Average daily rate more than halved (52.4%) to £83.61 (US$109.14), while revenue per available room (RevPAR) was down 88% to £19.02. The absolute occupancy level would be the lowest for any month on record in STR’s London database. ADR and RevPAR were up from June levels, however, and regional markets in the UK continue to outperform capital cities, according to STR. The agency’s most recent video on weekly UK performance, covering 27 July through 2 August, can be found here. More STR Covid-19 analysis can be found here. STR has a presence in 15 countries with a corporate North American headquarters in Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
The post Absolute occupancy levels for London hotels in July lowest on STR records Collapse
GDS-Movement picks up IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award
2 DAYS AGO - “A unique and innovative approach to driving sustainability through competition – and with Expand
2 DAYS AGO - “A unique and innovative approach to driving sustainability through competition – and with potential beyond the industry.” That was what the judges had to say about the winning entry to the IMEX-EIC (Events Industry Council) Innovation in Sustainability Award 2020. The Award has gone to GDS-Index, a benchmarking and performance improvement programme for business tourism and events destinations. The judges scored the programme highly for collaboration and commitment to continuous improvement. The GDS-Index produces a performance improvement report for each destination it surveys as well as sharing best practice through White Papers. The vision of the GDS-Index is to engage, inspire and enable destinations to become more regenerative and sustainable places to visit, meet and thrive in, and it has grown – now implemented in 58 cities around the world. The IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award is presented annually and was independently judged by a panel of industry experts. Collapse
June visitation data for Vegas shows numbers topping one million
2 DAYS AGO - Las Vegas welcomed approximately 1,065,000 leisure visitors in June following the staggered Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Las Vegas welcomed approximately 1,065,000 leisure visitors in June following the staggered reopening of resorts, ending a shutdown of resort properties that spanned nearly three months. June visitation numbers are based on a weighted average of roughly 95,000 hotel rooms that were available to book during the month as several resorts began welcoming back leisure guests 4 June. Re-openings and hotel room inventory available were at the discretion of resorts. Total occupancy averaged 40.9%, with weekend occupancy hovering at 51.8% and midweek occupancy at 36.5%. Average daily rates among open properties reached $104.07 (down 13.6%) while RevPAR was $42.56 (down 61.5 % compared to last June). No measurable convention attendance occurred during the month. Compiled and distributed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s (LVCVA) Research Center, the Monthly Executive Summary reflects tourism data from several agencies including the LVCVA, McCarran International Airport, the Collapse
Dubai kicks off region’s first live, interactive business event of H2 2020
3 DAYS AGO - Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) successfully hosted the AI Everything X Restart Dubai Summer Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) successfully hosted the AI Everything X Restart Dubai Summer Conference, 16 July, the region’s first live, in-person business event to be hosted in H2 2020. The event showcased the effect of artificial intelligence on the UAE’s pandemic recovery. DWTC implemented comprehensive regulatory protective measures at the venue, including temperature screening, social distancing, contactless transactions and hygiene protocols, with all upcoming events set to be conducted similarly in a highly controlled manner. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Tourism (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) said: “Artificial intelligence will transform every industry in the UAE and will provide wide-reaching economic benefits, while the MICE sector remains essential to both the UAE’s economic diversification agenda and Dubai’s GDP, as well as being a crucial driver behind the development of a knowledge-based economy and a Collapse
IBTM Americas reaches for the Virtual Summit
6 DAYS AGO - Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced details of its IBTM Americas virtual summit to take place Expand
6 DAYS AGO - Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced details of its IBTM Americas virtual summit to take place 25-26 August 2020. The original date for the in-person event had been at the end of May. That was subsequently pushed forward to 26-27 August 2020 at Centro Citibanamex before ultimately being cancelled for 2020. The interactive digital experience will be hosted on the Go To Webcast platform and will bring together 16 speakers over two days to share topical insights and learnings under the theme of ‘humanising the change’. The Virtual Summit will be free to attend and run in both Spanish and English. It will cover subject matters including event finance, sustainable events, event planning, innovation and creativity, marketing and branding, event production, leadership and motivation and customer service. Speakers include International Tenor, José Manuel Zapata, whose session is Treble Clef, notes for happiness; Nicolás Celis, producer of the movie ROMA, Pimienta Films and Irene Lane, Collapse
Kenes Group publishes guidebook to producing virtual experiences
6 DAYS AGO - Kenes Group, a global live, virtual and hybrid event management company, has published a new White Expand
6 DAYS AGO - Kenes Group, a global live, virtual and hybrid event management company, has published a new White Paper: ‘Strategy for Associations Going Virtual: a guidebook to producing compelling virtual experiences’. The guide aims to “explore the evolution of online meetings” and to “demystify the notion of a virtual conference” by answering questions that those in the events industry may have regarding the layout, organisation and planning of virtual events. Kenes says it also aims “to guide associations in building compelling virtual experiences” by breaking down the event into three steps: develop an action plan, choose a length and format, and go the extra mile. ‘Strategy for Associations Going Virtual: a guidebook to producing compelling virtual experiences’ can be downloaded here.
The post Kenes Group publishes guidebook to producing virtual experiences appeared first on CMW. Collapse
Survey suggests UK venues are more flexible with cancellation, contracts more robust
05/08/2020 - Venues within the UK will be more flexible on cancellation terms but are adding more robust Expand
05/08/2020 - Venues within the UK will be more flexible on cancellation terms but are adding more robust contract clauses to cover potentially similar issues, according a survey on venue attitudes to commercial terms following the Covid-19 crisis. The survey, conducted by the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA), spoke to 35 member venues, including 18 venue groups and 17 independent venues, revealed that nearly all are still planning how to handle the additional costs resulting from social distancing and extra cleaning at present. Juliet Price, consultant executive director of HBAA says: “This is a shared cost and one of which contributes to guest, employee and delegate safety so it is paramount today and for the future. These costs shouldn’t and can’t be automatically absorbed by venues.” Forty-seven percent of independents and 44% of hotel groups within the UK are still in the planning stages of selling strategies for large meeting space. Many say they are waiting to see how the market Collapse
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Wellington CEC honoured with Māori name
3 HRS AGO - The Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre (WCEC) in New Zealand has recently been bestowed Expand
3 HRS AGO - The Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre (WCEC) in New Zealand has recently been bestowed the Māori name Tākina. The city selected the name after working with local iwi (indigenous) partners based near Wellington. Tākina means ‘to invoke’ which “reflects the city as a place people come together to talk and think”. Wellington mayor, Andy Foster, said: “Tākina will prove extremely attractive for conference, exhibition and event organisers looking to come together in New Zealand’s capital. “Our new Convention and Exhibition Centre is part of the ongoing regeneration of the city centre and, given the breadth of exhibitions, conferences and events it will host, Tākina is set to be a major asset for Wellington as New Zealand’s Arts and Creative Capital.” WellingtonNZ general manager David Perks commented there was a “strong desire” for the new building to have an identity and story anchored by the history of the site, its surroundings and its meaning to the Collapse
WTTC calls on G7 leaders to take a lead in saving travel and tourism sector
6 HRS AGO - The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has “urgently” called on the UK and nine Expand
6 HRS AGO - The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has “urgently” called on the UK and nine other major governments for strong leadership and international collaboration to save the travel and tourism sector. Over 100 of the world’s major travel and global business leaders, from airlines, airports, hotels, tour operators and travel companies, have backed the WTTC and its letter calling for urgent coordinated action to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and nine other heads of state of the Group of Seven (G7) countries, as well as Australia, South Korea and Spain. The letter was also sent to these countries’ international opposition leaders, to highlight the non-partisan nature of the issue. WTTC, which represents the global travel and tourism private sector, said that “political leaders of these major powers must step forward to save the global economy, and support the recovery of the hundreds of millions of jobs already impacted”. The council warned that if the Collapse
French Premier maintains ban on public gatherings over 5,000 until 31 October
1 DAY AGO - International event management and venue grou, GL events has responded to the French prime Expand
1 DAY AGO - International event management and venue grou, GL events has responded to the French prime minister’s announcement of 11 August 2020 maintaining the ban on public gatherings of more than 5,000 people until 31 October 2020. Premier Jean Castex indicated that, in accordance with the strict application of public health measures, French regional authorities (préfets) will have the authority to grant exceptions to this rule. GL events responded that it would adapt the exhibitions it has already been planned in order to receive 5,000 people per day and per hall. A company statement said that, “In addition, all public health measures will be adopted by the Group to ensure optimal conditions of safety for the organisation of events. The Group furthermore notes that events organised and hosted for professionals are in no way comparable to the unauthorised gatherings observed in the recent weeks (beach parties, rave parties, etc.). All events organised by GL events are systematically granted Collapse
On the Newcastle:Gateshead waterfront – big reveal
2 DAYS AGO - New images have been revealed showing the green and public open spaces which will be created on Expand
2 DAYS AGO - New images have been revealed showing the green and public open spaces which will be created on the Newcastle:Gateshead waterfront, in the North East of England, as part of Gateshead Council’s arena-led regeneration scheme, Newcastle Gateshead Quays. The 7,4000sqm scheme includes a 12,500-seat arena, a conference and exhibition centre, two hotels, bars, restaurants and car parking all linked by over 12,500sqm of new public realm. Designed by landscape architects Planit-IE, the public realm forms a key part of the arena-led scheme which is being delivered by the Council’s development partner Ask:PATRIZIA. The proposals are currently awaiting planning approval after a period of public consultation. The delivery of the £260m (US$340m) scheme, which is designed by global architects HOK and AHR Architects, will see the creation of around 1,000 new jobs in the hospitality and leisure sector across the region and a further 1,000 in the construction sector. It is anticipated that it will Collapse
Cvent launches virtual solution with Engagement Hub
3 DAYS AGO - Meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, Cvent has unveiled its new virtual event Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, Cvent has unveiled its new virtual event solution, the Cvent Engagement Hub. Built to work alongside the company’s existing suite of products, the Cvent Engagement Hub offers a fully branded, turnkey virtual event experience with a platform that can power events of all types – whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid. The Cvent Engagement Hub means organisations can create an event experience to engage virtual audiences and access fully integrated, enterprise-class webcasting technology to deliver interactive content to any device. The new hub means one platform can be used for each step of the virtual event lifecycle, including promotion, registration, and all aspects of the virtual experience including an available native mobile app. Rich attendee and digital event data can be collected, including per attendee engagement scores, session and web analytics, and surveys for smarter follow-up. The Cvent Engagement Hub also means Collapse
Kuala Lumpur CC’s new engagement programme promises to be ‘here for you’
3 DAYS AGO - The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia has launched a set of service initiatives under an Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia has launched a set of service initiatives under an engagement programme ‘We are here for you’. The programme encompasses four key pillars: We Care covering the safe and secure, regulated environment for business events; We are Flexible, which highlights the Centre’s partnership approach to deliver the best event solutions; We Listen promoting the Centre’s expertise and knowledge; and We are Supportive which focuses on the venue’s commitment to professional development of the industry supply chain and its engagement and advocacy initiatives to advance Malaysia’s business events industry. New digital solutions are grouped under a Stay Connected campaign and include a new website, comprehensive Health & Hygiene Guidelines that are in line with stringent government-approved Standard Operating Procedures. Centre general manager, Alan Pryor says: “We have recognised that the environment for business events has been totally transformed by Collapse
New APAC research from PCMA finds planners intending to stay close to home for events
6 DAYS AGO - Results from global industry association Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) Expand
6 DAYS AGO - Results from global industry association Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) first APAC research post Covid outbreak finds planners are struggling to budget for hybrid events as they try to find the balance between taking an event online and managing face-to-face attendee’s expectations. The research finds 61% of planners and 47% of suppliers are only willing to travel within their country for a business event according to the PCMA research. The Covid-19 Dashboard Recovery research included replies from 531 event industry professionals – 342 planners and 189 suppliers and was conducted across the APAC region, 7–15 July 2020. Forty-one percent of planners believe smaller and regional events will come back sooner than larger international events, while 27% believe small in-person events will need to go hybrid, and large events wholly digital. The survey revealed most business event planners have no intention of travelling any time soon with almost two-thirds (60%) Collapse
Cypress Vending introduces Touchless Mask Station
7 DAYS AGO - Cypress Vending, a Canadian vending machine supplier, has announced the introduction of the Expand
7 DAYS AGO - Cypress Vending, a Canadian vending machine supplier, has announced the introduction of the Touchless Mask Station. The Touchless Mask Station was created by Brad Simon and Travis Grubb, two Cypress Vending employees. The machine can be mounted on a wall or stand, and can be branded to fit the needs of the space. Each station comes stocked with disposable, three layer, non-medical masks. The machine aims to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 by being completely touchless, from acquiring a mask to payment. Masks can be retrieved without touching the machine, and can be paid for using Tap Pay, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Apple Pay, and Android Pay, with live sales and inventory automatically uploaded to the Cloud. In addition, venues can choose the ‘Free Vend’ option, which will dispense a mask whenever the sensor detects that a customer is at the Mask Station, providing masks to attendees and employees for free.
The post Cypress Vending introduces Touchless Mask Station Collapse
70% of conferences in Italy cancelled due to Covid-19, research reveals
05/08/2020 - Research by the Graduate School of Economics and International Relations of Università Cattolica Expand
05/08/2020 - Research by the Graduate School of Economics and International Relations of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (ASERI) has revealed the extent to which the Italian conference and meetings industry has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Conference and events venues have seen 69.7% of conferences and events cancelled, while 16.9% have been postponed until 2021, and 13.4% to a date later in 2020. These figures are taken from the research study ‘The impact of Covid-19 on the Italian meetings industry: the outlook for conference and events venues’ conducted by ASERI alongside the Italian meetings industry association Federcongressi&eventi. The survey was conducted as part of the Italian Survey of Conferences and Events (Osservatorio Italiano dei Congressi e degli Eventi – OICE), which monitors annual trends within the industry. The survey involved a sample of the main medium-sized to large events venues (hotels, conference centres and convention centres) in order to Collapse
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Digital marketing, with a side of virtual event
6 HRS AGO - Snöballer-in-chief at snöball event influencer marketing, Rachael Stephan, shares some advice on Expand
6 HRS AGO - Snöballer-in-chief at snöball event influencer marketing, Rachael Stephan, shares some advice on tailoring your message to the virtual event experience. Different delivery, different expectations, different experiences. We’re all intimately familiar with the difference between virtual and in-person events. But, what about when it comes to marketing your virtual event – are the same tried and true strategies that event marketers use for in-person events effective for virtual events, too? The answer may surprise you. Virtual event marketing operates with the same nuts and bolts as in-person. Adapting your event marketing to a virtual setting doesn’t require a major marketing overhaul. Your digital channels can be just as effective as ever, provided your message is tailored to a virtual event experience. But, your message needs to adapt to your event delivery. Your marketing promotions will struggle if you don’t account for the specific pain points that your event both presents and Collapse
In pictures: Thousands turn out for #WeMakeEvents Red Alert protest
8 HRS AGO - Thousands of event professionals gathered along Southbank in London, UK on Tuesday 11 August, to Expand
8 HRS AGO - Thousands of event professionals gathered along Southbank in London, UK on Tuesday 11 August, to demonstrate the critical condition of the UK events industry. Eventprofs in red shirts lined the entire Southbank from Westminster to the Tate Modern, as part of the #WeMakeEvents ‘Red Alert’ campaign. They came from all corners of the events industry, including the live music, festival, exhibition and conference sectors. A barge bearing a bright red #WeMakeEvents logo sailed down the Thames, ahead of a boat filled with politicians and journalists who had been invited to attend by the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), which organised the day of action. The aim was to draw mainstream media and government attention to the crisis being faced by the event industry. Last night’s day of action has already drawn media coverage from the BBC and the Evening Standard. At the same time across the UK, event venues and landmarks were lit up in red, while marches and demonstrations Collapse
Conference Compass points to new community VEP
2 DAYS AGO - Holland-based software developer Conference Compass has launched a new association and event Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Holland-based software developer Conference Compass has launched a new association and event platform targeted on its medical and scientific society client base. The company says its new product, which took five months to develop, is an inclusive, intuitive, and customisable #OneCommunity Virtual Event Platform (VEP). “When the pandemic hit the spring conference season and most of our customers had no choice but to cancel or postpone their events, we decided to expand our development team and focus all our efforts on extending our platform to fully support virtual and hybrid events. Now, you can grow and engage your audiences as one community, 365 days a year,” says Conference Compass founder and CEO Jelmer van Ast. “We provide a branded community platform with integrated live-streaming capabilities ideal for live and hybrid events. It comes with a native mobile app and an online web app with an interactive and user-friendly interface. During virtual events, attendees can easily Collapse
First keynote speaker announced for IBTM World 2020
2 DAYS AGO - Organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced that Pancho Campo, former tennis professional Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced that Pancho Campo, former tennis professional turned events producer, will be the first keynote speaker for its IBTM World 2020 in Barcelona. In a talk titled ‘The future of events: Lessons learned from working with Barack Obama’, Campo will draw on his more than 30 years’ experience organising events to explore how to run an event with high profile attendees, as well as sharing practical solutions to overcome the challenges inherent to this type of event. Campo will also discuss how event organisers can adapt in a Covid-19 world and give insight into what events of the future might look like. During lockdown, Campo produced a virtual climate change conference, Marbella Futuro 2020. The one-day, non-profit event brought 61 speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds together over 35 panel sessions to discuss ideas and share inspiration. Campo said: “Although the current situation is worrying, the future is bright. I’m very much looking Collapse
ECM and ICCA launch European partnership
3 DAYS AGO - The European Cities Marketing (ECM) consortium and the International Congress and Convention Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The European Cities Marketing (ECM) consortium and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) have launched a European partnership designed to provide better aligned benefits for their respective members. Specifically, the new phase of the partnership will start off with a programme of exploring exchange and reciprocity in three areas: educational content, advocacy and a mentor programme. The idea is to implement a flexible framework of collaboration between the associations without compromising the focus of each member organisation. Work will begin by engaging a series of educational exchanges incorporating each other’s knowledge content into the respective congresses, develop a mentor programme for newcomers in the events industry and starting to align approaches taken to advocacy activities, beginning immediately. Senthil Gopinath, ICCA CEO, said: “We are extremely excited to formalise an already existing long-term partnership and work closely together in moving Collapse
Thanks for the memories: Berlin’s Sleeping Beauties, Episode 11
6 DAYS AGO - In this, our final episode before a short summer break, our host Mark Felstead introduces us to Expand
6 DAYS AGO - In this, our final episode before a short summer break, our host Mark Felstead introduces us to Kieran Dennis – once a legend of Berlin’s event scene upped anchor and moved back to London where he now works as a DMC for Incentives and Cruise Ships. Kieran explains it is a business sub-sector that has been literally stranded over the last few months. Kieran believes these businesses were unfairly demonised by the Covid-hungry media at the beginning of the pandemic and goes on to compare the UK London lockdown with the experience in Berlin. Mark Felstead also gets involved into a philosophical discussion with Kieran about the merits of being extrovert, or not, in the events business. Which brings to mind a saying: ‘The meek may inherit the earth… if it’s alright with everyone else’. Well, the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for many to re-assess their true personalities. Some of our more introverted characters have certainly stepped up to the plate in these times of crisis, Collapse
Routes Connected cleared for hybrid take off in November
6 DAYS AGO - A new hybrid event is being launched by Routes which will provide an innovative platform for the Expand
6 DAYS AGO - A new hybrid event is being launched by Routes which will provide an innovative platform for the aviation industry to rebuild air services in the post-pandemic era. Scheduled to take place 30 November–4 December, Routes Reconnected will comprise of virtual and physical components, aimed at facilitating conversations among the global route development community that can make a difference to the industry’s recovery. This five-day event will consist of three virtual days of meetings, on-demand content and virtual networking opportunities, as well as two full days of in-person meetings at the Hilton, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Organisers have invested in what they says is a “comprehensive” digital platform for Routes Reconnected. Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “We are delighted to be announcing Routes Reconnected. “The innovation, resilience and co-operation demonstrated by the industry throughout this period will continue to be paramount. Working together, we can rebuild and Collapse
Melbourne CEC explores Unconventional Ideas
7 DAYS AGO - Over two and a half days in the first week of August, over a hundred innovators and Expand
7 DAYS AGO - Over two and a half days in the first week of August, over a hundred innovators and thought-leaders from the Australia’s events industry have taken part in a virtual idea generation hackathon as part of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) inaugural Unconventional Ideas event. The event brought together in-house experts, as well as customers and stakeholders within the sector, to workshop and pitch business ideas for MCEC to a panel of judges, including Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp; AFL star and hotelier Luke Darcy and MCEC chair and former Victorian Premier, John Brumby AO. While the ideas that came from the process remain top-secret for the moment, many of them dealt with new and unexpected ways to use MCEC’s world-class facilities, expertise and location on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River. “MCEC Unconventional Ideas is a first for our business and is designed to position MCEC for success in the future, ensuring we remain an industry leader, a preferred Collapse
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