Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) was recognised for its significant contribution to Victorian tourism at the RACV 2012 Victorian Tourism Awards last night, receiving top honours for the William Angliss Institute Award for Business Tourism.

“It was a great moment to accept this award on behalf of the MCEC team,” said MCEC’s Chief Executive, Peter King.

This year MCEC hosted 1500 events and welcomed over 250,000 visitors, show casing Melbourne as a destination through MCEC’s architecture, innovation, team and sustainable practices and Victoria as a producer of wonderful food and wine on a daily basis.

“This is great recognition for the MCEC and the contribution we make towards the success of the Victorian tourism and business events industry and the community in general” King said.

With a collaborative approach to business MCEC works closely with key industry organisations and supports their Club Melbourne Ambassador Program to promote and build tourism and the business events industry for Melbourne and Australia.

MCEC also play a leadership role within industry by encouraging yield and dispersal of their visitors throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria by providing visitor information through their website, on-site brochures, a food and wine blog and partnerships with key tourism organisations.

The Victorian Tourism Awards recognise and reward organisations that contribute excellence, innovation and commitment to the Victorian tourism industry.

“Each year, the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards recognise and reward the best tourist experiences across our state and honour our highly skilled workforce and promote award-winning products,” Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said.

More than 150 tourism operators competed in 27 business categories, with another three individual and group awards presented at a gala ceremony on 19 November.

As a Victorian Tourism Awards-winner, MCEC will go on to represent Victoria at the Qantas 2012 Australian Tourism Awards in Hobart in February 2013.