OPERATIONS A-Z
Before you get onsite, here is some information you might need to finalise your planning. This section includes key operational details, venue information, and important requirements to help you prepare for arrival. Please review all relevant information carefully, confirm any outstanding items, and ensure all necessary arrangements are completed to support a smooth and efficient setup onsite.
Alcohol is not permitted to be served on your stand during Event hours without written permission from the Organiser. Please email all requests to sourcingadmin@ie-group.com.au.
Exhibitors planning to use helium balloons as part of their stand display are required to obtain approval from the Organiser. There is a minimum charge of $500.00 AUD to retrieve used balloons from the Venue Exhibition Hall roof.
To receive approval please email sourcingadmin@iecgroup.com.au
Note: The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre has sole catering rights to all food and beverage products. Unauthorised catering goods will not be accepted into the building and will be removed from the premises. If you intend to bring food or beverage into the venue, including items such as lollies, fruit and water, you require prior written approval from the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and may also require a Melbourne City Council Permit to do so. Please note: breach of this policy may result in the removal of the offending sample items.
Please fill out the Food and beverage sampling /selling request form and return to the centre if you have any questions please contact the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Exhibitor Services team via exservices@mcec.com.au.
Please note there is no longer a Business Centre at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Printing in available via the Customer Service Desks located either in the Exhibition or Convention Centre.
A kiosk is located inside, at the rear of the Exhibition Hall. Alternatively, a range of light meals, snacks and refreshments are available at the Shed Cafe located inside the foyer off the Clarendon Street Centre entrance. Coffee, tea and snacks are available from the Plenary Cafe located in the Melbourne Convention Centre (MCC) main foyer. Coffee, home-made pastries, wine by the glass, all day dining available at the Goldfields Café and Bar located near the Customer Service Desk in the Convention Centre Place.
All Exhibitors are encouraged to park in the Corner of Montague and Munro Streets Car Park, entry from Munro Street so that the parking available underneath the Venue can be utilised by Visitors attending the event. Pay and Display ticketing machines are available for issue of valid parking tickets. Correct change is required for these units. Please note that the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and its car parks are ‘gazetted’ areas with City of Melbourne parking infringements applying.
Alternatively, parking is available at the:
1. Freeway Car Park – located at Munro Street under the Westgate Bridge, access via Munro or Normanby Roads
2. Convention Centre Siddeley Street Car Park
3. South Wharf Retail Car Park
Please refer to the MCEC website and/or Exhibitor Services Kit for further information. Alternatively, we can suggest Crown Casino car park as an option for parking onsite. Refer to the Crown Casino website for rate information.
You are not permitted to paint, nail, staple, screw or glue to any floor, ceiling or wall within the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Plastic sheeting must be first placed on the floor where turf, woodchips etc. are used in your display. Material used in stand construction must not cause dampness, staining, be readily ignitable or be capable of emitting toxic fumes should ignition occur.
The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre is a cashless venue
No childcare facilities are available at the Venue at any time.
Any person under the age of 15 years is prohibited from accessing Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Exhibition Halls during Move In and Move Out periods.
Persons under the age of 15 years are not permitted on the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Loading Docks without adult supervision at all times.
Stand vacuuming will occur for all stands each night of the Event, including at the end of Move In. Any items placed in the aisles during Move In and during the Event will be deemed as rubbish and removed.
The aisles are public walkways and therefore must not be used to display goods.
If demonstrating your product, you must place your display counter at least one (1) metre back from the front of your stand, to avoid crowds obstructing aisles. Any amplification must not interfere with adjacent Exhibitors.
Due to Occupational Health & Safety Regulations, all aisles must be free of obstacles – furniture, accessories, displays are not permitted in the aisles.
The Venue and Organiser will not accept delivery of any goods on behalf of Exhibitors, nor will there be any responsibility taken for the safety of any such items delivered to the Venue in the absence of the Exhibitor.
It is a legal requirement in Temporary Exhibition Work Sites that all electrical equipment be tested and tagged in accordance with SAA 300 Wiring Rules and Code of Practice for Temporary Installations under the OH&S Act 2000. Checks will be carried out to ensure all equipment onsite within the Venue meets with Australian Standards. Non-compliance will result in the Exhibitor being required to remove the equipment.
All standard aisles are three (3) metres wide. To comply with Occupational Health & Safety and egress requirements of the Venue, all aisles must remain unobstructed. Exhibitors are not permitted to display any materials or products outside of their allocated stand space. Any materials or products found to be encroaching into the aisles will be removed.
All exhibiting products must be directly related to the Exhibition profile and accord with the Exhibitor’s nominated products for exhibit. The Organiser has the right to remove goods that are inappropriate to the Event – particularly overt copy goods.
All exhibiting products must be directly related to the Exhibition profile and accord with the Exhibitor’s nominated products for exhibit.
The Organiser has the right to remove goods that are inappropriate to the Event – particularly overt copy goods.
Any materials used for display purposes must conform to the following standards:
- Non-combustible material
- Inherently non-flammable material
- Flame-proof fabric
- Self-extinguishing plastic material
- Plywood, hardwood, pulpboard or fibre board rendered flame-resistant by a process of impregnation acceptable to the Venue authorities.
Flammable building material used for stand walls must be fire proofed. The use of readily flammable material in displays, such as crepe paper, corrugated cardboard, straw, untreated hessian, or PVC sheet (except on floors as a protective membrane) is strictly prohibited without the express approval of the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Sawdust, tan bark or wood chips of a reasonable size may be used to decorate floors, provided a protective membrane is laid first and chips are slightly moist at all times. Hay bales can only be used onsite if treated with fire retardant.
In the event of any accident or emergency, please contact the Security Guards or the Organiser’s Office immediately.
The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre offers Exhibitors a wide range of stand catering. Note: The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre has sole catering rights to all food and beverage products. Unauthorised catering goods will not be accepted into the building and will be removed from the premises. A menu and beverage list are available from the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Exhibitor Services team, tel +61 3 9235 8110 or email exservices@mcec.com.au. Further information and order forms can be downloaded here.
All orders must be finalised at least 7 business days prior to the event.
If you intend to give away samples of food or beverage, including items such as lollies, fruit and water, you require prior written approval from the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and may also require a Melbourne City Council Permit to do so. Please note: breach of this policy may result in the removal of the offending sample items.
Please fill out the Food and beverage sampling /selling request form and return to the centre if you have any questions please contact the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Exhibitor Services team via exservices@mcec.com.au.
Due to Occupational Health & Safety Regulations, open-toe footwear is not permitted inside the Exhibition Halls during Move In and Move Out or on the Loading Dock at any time.
GEL Events has been appointed the official Logistics Contractor for the Event.
GEL Events specialises in exhibition freight forwarding – both domestic and international. GEL Events can ensure that your product, display and merchandise are in the right place, at the right time, providing a complete transport, materials handling and storage service. GEL Events provides a complete service including monitoring of freight from your door step right through to your exhibition stand to make sure your goods are handled in a professional manner and all formalities /deadlines are met. If you are using GEL Events, your goods will automatically be delivered to your exhibition stand.
Your goods can be delivered to the Venue from 7am on Monday 16 November 2026 and must be clearly labelled with the Event name, your company name and exhibition stand number. The address details are:
GLOBAL SOURCING EXPO
17 – 20 NOVEMBER 2026
MELBOURNE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE (MCEC)
LOADING DOCK ROLLER DOOR 2
NORMANBY ROAD SOUTHBANK
VICTORIA 3006 AUSTRALIA
Any Goods delivered to the Venue prior to 7am Monday 16 November 2026 cannot be accepted.
Goods delivered with courier services (e.g. FedEx, UPS, DHL) cannot be guaranteed. Exhibitors are advised to make an advanced warehousing arrangement to ensure their samples and products are delivered to the Event during Move In. Exhibitors who choose not to book this service are at risk of logistical problems with their products and samples not arriving in time for the Event opening. The Organiser cannot take responsibility for Goods not arriving nor assist in following up on delayed deliveries or liaise with Customs to clear goods. For more information on Advanced Warehousing click here or contact:
Killian Rock
T: +61 1300 013 533
E: killian@gelevents.com.au
GEL Events offers the following services:
- All local, interstate and international transport services including delivery onto each Exhibitors’ stand at the Venue
- Storage of early consignments, packing materials during the exhibition and storage after the Exhibition
- For international Exhibitors, a comprehensive international freight forwarding service tailored to each particular Exhibitor’s requirements
Prior to the Event, GEL Events will make contact to discuss and determine your individual freight and logistics requirements. In the meantime, for any queries please contact:
Freight Enquiries
Killian Rock
T: +61 1300 013 533
E: killian@gelevents.com.au
As the Event Move In has very tight deadlines, we highly recommend using GEL Events as their service is door-to-stand and they work weekends and outside normal business hours.
It is the responsibility of each Exhibitor and Stand Builder to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained before, during and after the Event. The ‘OH&S Staff Induction Checklist’ document highlights essential information all staff working at the Event must know before coming onsite. Use this checklist in your pre-Event meeting or staff training packs.
Goods Insurance
The Organiser does not have an insurance policy which covers Exhibitors’ goods. You are therefore advised to extend your Property Insurance Policy to cover loss of stock and display equipment due to theft or damage.
Public Liability Insurance
All Exhibitors must have Public Liability Insurance cover this is included with your stand package from the organisers.
If you wish to organise dedicated internet for your stand, please fill out the venue internet form or email the MCEC Exhibitor Services team on exservices@mcec.com.au
MCEC have a free wireless service throughout the venue, that is shared between all visitors to the MCEC. It has a speed
of 1mbps, and no download limit. However, you will need to sign in for this service every hour. This is suitable for basic
web browsing, messages and email. MCEC do not recommend using this service if your booth activations depend on
an internet connection, or you will need to download or stream content.
All of the Exhibitor Internet packages offered by MCEC are outlined in our Internet Form.
All orders must be finalised at least 7 business days prior to the event.
Access to the MEC Loading Dock is via Normanby Road (see Venue map). The Loading Dock is a one-way system. Enter from the Montague Street end of Normanby Road and exit at the Clarendon Street end. The Exhibition Centre has a vehicle checkpoint at the Dock entry to monitor access and ensure orderly unloading.
Neither the Organiser nor Venue Management accepts responsibility for any items delivered to the site in the absence of the Exhibitor, their Agent or Contractor. All deliveries are to be scheduled for the designated Move In/Out times only.
All vehicles entering the Venue Loading Dock will be issued with a thirty (30) minute unloading permit. Please advise Loading Dock staff if a longer time is required. Extended time for vehicles is at the discretion of the Exhibition Centre Security at the gate. Parking infringements will be issued by the City of Melbourne.
Limited meeting rooms are available onsite for use by Exhibitors. Please contact the Organiser or call in onsite to the Organiser’s Office to make bookings. It is strongly recommended that you book meeting rooms prior to the Event.
Proposals for use of naked flames on stands must be made in writing no less than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the Event. To obtain approval please email sourcingadmin@ie-group.com.au. Naked flames include the use of cooking equipment, barbecues, heaters, candles, oil burners, etc.
- A fire extinguisher and/or a fire blanket shall be kept on the stand in an area accessible to the general public. This fire extinguisher shall be properly signed
- Under no circumstances will the stand be left unattended when the flame is alight
- No flammable material shall be within one (1) metre of the flame
- Flames shall be extinguished 15 minutes prior to the stand being vacated at the end of the day
- Flames will be situated so that members of the public cannot come into contact with the flame or any surface likely to burn the person or ignite their clothing.
- Facilities used for cooking must have an automatic emergency cut off switch
- Appropriate first aid equipment/items must be in place.
All internal areas of the Venue are non-smoking.
Please note that all power within the Exhibition Halls will be switched off overnight during the Event. If you require continuous power to your stand, please inform the Organiser in writing by emailing sourcingadmin@ie-group.com.au no later Friday 23 October 2026.
Promotional staff may roam the Exhibition floor and are permitted to hand out promotional material from anywhere within the Exhibition Hall, except within a six (6) metre radius of any direct competitor or at the entrance/s to the Event. All promotional staff must be appropriately dressed. The Organiser reserves the right to cease any promotional activity taking place outside of stands at its own discretion.
The public-address system is for use by the Organiser for official announcements only. It is only available to Exhibitors or Visitors in the case of genuine emergencies.
Tram: Trams running past the Venue include No. 12 from Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, No. 96 (light rail) from Acland Street, St Kilda and No. 109 from Beach Road, Port Melbourne. Use the tram stop (Stop 124A Casino/MCEC) at the Clarendon Street entrance to the Exhibition.
It is a short 3-minute walk from the trams on Flinders Street. Use tram No’s 48 and 75 along Spencer Street, turning into Flinders Street or the City Circle Loop (free) along Flinders, Spring, Latrobe and Spencer Streets.
Train: Southern Cross Railway Station is only a 10-minute walk from the Venue along Spencer Street.
Taxi: Taxi drop off point is located at the Clarendon Street entrance. To arrange a taxi from the Event, tel 131 010 (Northern Suburban), 131 008 (Silver Top) or 132 227 (Black Cabs Combined).
Click here for up to date transport information.
Banners must only be hung over an Exhibitor space and not over aisle way. Our preferred Rigging Contractor for the Event is Clifton Productions to obtain a rigging quote from Clifton Productions contact them on tel +61 3 9416 6844 or email info@cprig.com.au
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only accredited riggers are permitted to work at the Venue.
Any items placed in the aisles during Move In, during the Event as well as any items still remaining at the Venue once the Move Out has completed will be deemed as rubbish and removed.
A roaming Security Guard will be in attendance during Move In, Move Out and throughout the Event. It is your responsibility during Event hours to have someone on your stand thirty (30) minutes before opening and until all Visitors have left the building. Under no circumstances should Exhibitors leave personal valuables on stands. Report any missing goods immediately to the Organiser’s Office.
Whilst Security Guards will be present during the Move Out, you should have a staff member on your stand to protect your goods. Pay particular attention to security of small valuable items, mobile phones, laptop computers etc.
24-hour perimeter security is in operation throughout the Event’s entire schedule. Exhibitors are advised that they are responsible for their own product security. We recommend Exhibitors ensure a representative remains on their stand until all product has been removed during Move Out.
A full list of our service providers for the event can be found here
There will be no onsite storage facilities for packing materials and boxes. It is recommended that Exhibitors consider their storage needs (of packing crates and freight forwarding materials) for the duration of the Exhibition. Exhibitors may not leave boxes and packing material in the exhibition display area during the Event. GEL Events can arrange off-site storage. Charges apply.
Exhibitors or their stand builders requiring offsite storage during the Event, must pre-book these services in advance with GEL Events. Charges apply.
Please note:
- If you are using your own transport company, GEL Events cannot sign for delivery of goods on your behalf. Please ensure you make specific arrangements with your transport provider and/or ensure you have a representative onsite at the time of delivery
- GEL Events standard trading conditions apply for services provided – it is important that you are aware of these. Services include: transport, cranage, forklift, porterage, clearance, delivery, storage, positioning and all other onsite services
Staff working on stands will not be admitted without presentation of their Exhibitor Badge to the door Security Guard. Exhibitors may enter sixty (60) minutes prior to the Event opening each day, or earlier with approval from the Organiser. Early arrivals must stay on their stand and not wander around the Exhibition Hall.
All temporary structures built for Exhibitions must comply with the Building Code of Australia and all other statutory regulations current at the time of construction. This includes areas pertaining to egress, height, fire safety and flammability ratings of materials. All stands must be designed and constructed in accordance with all relevant Australian Standards and obtain Venue Approval prior to the Event.
Stand Materials
- Must not cause dampness, stain or be readily ignitable
- Must not be capable of emitting toxic fumes should ignition occur
- Crepe paper, corrugated cardboard, straw, hay, untreated hessian, untreated material fabrics or PVC sheet (except on floors as a protective membrane) requires prior approval from the Venue
- Sawdust, tan bark or wood chips of reasonable size may be used to decorate floors, with the below considerations:
- A protective membrane is laid first and chips are kept slightly moist at all times
- A fire extinguisher must be provided by the Exhibitor and be placed in a prominent location on the stand
- Any fabric used in the construction or decoration of a stand, including the stand ceiling, must be treated with a fire retardant. The Venue will require proof of treatment
- Moving machinery or equipment likely to injure a member of the public or a swimming pool containing water, must be separated from the public by a physical barrier and supervised at all times
- Fountains, aquariums, spas, rock pools and swimming pools can be displayed, provided suitable provisions are made to prevent water leakage onto the floor
- No core drilling or fixing into any floor is permitted
Stand Flooring
Ensure trip or slip hazards are reduced and distinguishable from surrounding floor areas. For example, by using markings, contrasting edges, tactile surface indicators, non-slip materials, effective lighting.
To comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (S 23, 24), every stand must provide access for a person with a disability. In the case of raised flooring between 6mm–190mm, access must be in accordance with AS1428 – Section 10.7 Walkways, Ramps and Landings/Kerb Ramps. Kerb ramps should have a maximum rise of 190mm, length no greater than 1520mm, a gradient no steeper than 1:8 and a slip resistant surface.
All raised flooring, ramps and stairs must be contained within the allocated stand space. The riser and going of steps must either comply with the requirements of AS1657 or the requirements of the National Construction Code of Australia.
Stand Visibility
- The Venue requires all stands to be open for visual inspection at all times
- No stands are to be covered or blocked by fabric or material at any time as this can be a fire safety hazard
- The MCEC will conduct regular stand visual safety inspections and need to be able to sight the stand build
All electrical equipment entering the Venue must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Australian Standards. This Act affects all electrical equipment used in the workplace, including equipment brought into the Venue by contractors or third parties. The outward sign of compliance with the act will be the electrical test tag compliant with AS3760: 2003. The Venue reserves the right to remove or replace any electrical equipment not complying with the Act. Power cords which are detachable such as IEG leads, extension leads, and power boards are separate items and need to be tested independently from the equipment they are supplied with.
Toilets are situated to the rear of the Exhibition Hall near the kiosks and also along the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Concourse.
