Exhibition & Conference Centre Operation in Australia: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The Exhibition & Conference Centre Operation industry in Australia encompasses the management, hosting, and facilitation of trade shows, conventions, corporate summits, and cultural events. The sector plays a vital role in Australia's visitor economy, relying heavily on business travel, corporate marketing budgets, and international delegate visitation. In the financial year ending 30 June 2025, major operating entities showed strong operational recoveries, with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre reporting revenue of $116 million (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre), reflecting a 5% year-on-year rise. As of 2026, the industry is entering a stable expansion period, support

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

Historical & forecast

Get in touch and our analysts will be happy to help with custom market sizing, deeper segmentation, supplier detail or a bespoke study built for you.

What does the Exhibition & Conference Centre Operation in Australia industry cover?

This industry consists of entities primarily engaged in operating, leasing, and managing physical convention, exhibition, and multi-purpose event spaces. These facilities provide specialized infrastructure including exhibition halls, meeting rooms, auditoriums, and state-of-the-art audiovisual setups for business and public gatherings. Operational activities encompass renting out space, managing ticketing, coordinating event logistics, and providing integrated food and beverage services.

• •Primary services focus on the commercial leasing of large-scale event infrastructure to professional organizers and corporate clients.
• •Under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification, dedicated venue leasing without accommodation is typically classified under non-residential property operations, distinguishing it from event planners.
• •Operational scopes include a mix of business-to-business exhibitions, academic symposiums, national trade congresses, and consumer-facing expositions.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The Australian market is characterized by a high concentration of ownership, with the largest and most prestigious exhibition spaces owned by state governments but operated under complex private management contracts or specialized public trusts. These landmark capital-city venues anchor regional tourism strategies and generate substantial economic spillover. Private management multinationals dominate the operation of several of these state-owned assets.

• •Major facilities include the International Convention Centre Sydney, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
• •State governments frequently utilize public-private partnership models to fund infrastructure developments while relying on private experience for day-to-day venue commercialization.
• •A large portion of the market relies on regional municipal venues to service local corporate meetings and community exhibitions.

What drives demand in the industry?

Industry demand is closely tied to domestic and international business travel, corporate marketing spend, and the health of the broader visitor economy. Government initiatives to promote Australia as an elite global business destination help secure major international associations and incentive travel programs. Furthermore, the recovery of international aviation capacity has restored the pipeline of high-yield overseas delegates who spend significantly on accommodation and local services.

• •Government tourism funding acts as a direct driver, with $171.1 million budgeted in 2025-26 to promote Australian leisure and business events travel (OECD Tourism Trends and Policies).
• •Economic activity in key corporate sectors drives business-to-business exhibition bookings and corporate product launches.
• •Tourism Research Australia noted that total visitor spending in Australia reached $192.4 billion in 2025, providing a highly supportive environment for event operators (Tourism Research Australia).

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive landscape features a select group of global venue operators, state-owned management trusts, and integrated entertainment groups. Venues compete fiercely for prestigious multi-year international association contracts and national exhibition tours. Rather than competing purely on price, operators differentiate through technological capabilities, sustainability credentials, and premium catering partnerships.

• •Legends Global (which acquired ASM Global) manages premier Australian assets including the International Convention Centre Sydney and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
• •The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust operates the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, recording a revenue of $116 million in the 2024-25 financial year (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre).
• •Amplify Bidco Pty Ltd (trading as TEG) represents a major integrated competitor in local event promotion, ticketing services, and venue management.
• •Informa PLC, through its various exhibition and event-planning divisions, acts as a primary commercial client and partner across Australia's major convention centres.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is experiencing a transition toward high-tech, hybrid event spaces that seamlessly integrate virtual streaming with physical attendance. Operators are also heavily investing in net-zero sustainability certifications to meet the stringent procurement requirements of international corporate and government clients. The near-term outlook remains positive as event numbers stabilize and international visitor nights continue to grow.

• •Major capital-city venues are reporting higher event numbers, with Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre hosting 714 events and welcoming 800,000 delegates in FY 2024-25 (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre).
• •The International Convention Centre Sydney secured 507 core events in FY 2023-24, generating $718 million in direct visitor expenditure for New South Wales (ICC Sydney).
• •Venues are upgrading local digital infrastructure to support real-time data analytics, contactless registration systems, and smart energy management.

How is the industry regulated?

Operators of exhibition and conference centres are subject to strict state and federal legislative frameworks governing public assembly, occupational health and safety, and food standards. Because major venues hold liquor licenses and handle large crowds, compliance with local liquor laws, responsible service of alcohol protocols, and emergency evacuation planning is critical. Furthermore, environmental, social, and governance reporting standards increasingly govern corporate procurement policies for events.

• •Venues must comply with state-based Work Health and Safety acts, ensuring safe assembly and dismantling protocols during event bumps-ins and bump-outs.
• •Operations are subject to strict food safety regulations and Australian food standards, particularly for venues managing internal high-volume commercial kitchens.
• •Venues are increasingly aligned with international environmental standards, such as ISO 14001, to satisfy corporate ESG sourcing mandates.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Tourism Research Australia Annual Benchmark Report 2025 ·
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Annual Report 2024-25 ·
• International Convention Centre Sydney Annual Performance Review 2023-24 ·
• Australian Government Portfolio Budget Statements 2025-26 ·
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Standard Classifications (ANZSIC 2006)