SCEC returns to conference mode in hours

The boxers and weightlifters had scarcely time enough to savour their gold medals, before the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (SCEC) was once again back in its conference mode, hosting one of the year's most prestigious regional events. The Pacific Rim Forum brought together 450 chief executives of multi-national corporations, government ministers, trade advisers and leading academics from around the Asia Pacific region for three days of high-level talks. SCEC manager events Ms Helen Mantellato, said the gathering posed some unique challenges for the host venue. "The entire complex had been under the direct supervision of SOCOG (games organisers) for several months and we had to overlap and accommodate the tight security requirements of SOCOG and the Pacific Rim organisers," she said. "We did not have access to the Tumbalong Auditorium, where the main business sessions were being held, until 6pm on the Sunday evening, just 15 hours ahead of the opening of the conference." The gala dinner of the forum was held in the ballroom of Convention Centre South at SCEC and the delegates also attended a number of offsite social functions. "We had to carry out extensive forward planning to accommodate the Forum immediately after the Games, but it paid off as our clients were delighted with the result," said Ms Mantellato.