Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre has been awarded the Freedom Award by Guide Dogs Victoria for their allowing access to the venue while Melbourne was in lockdown, to enable guide dogs and their owners/trainers to continue vital training. The Award was presented to MCEC on International Guide Dog Day.
The Freedom Award is is presented by GDV to an external organization that has made an outstanding contribution to GDV. Guide Dogs had their training disrupted when Stage 4 lockdown was implemented, the new restrictions meaning GDV were unable to have enough Guide Dog Trainers onsite to continue preparing the dogs for their formal Guide Dog assessments.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre caught wind of the trouble GDV were facing and contacted them to see if their facility could be of any use, resulting in a fantastic partnership between MCEC and GDV, which allowed them to access large training spaces on the expo floor, escalators, café seating, auditoriums, stairs and a variety of floor surfaces for both Clients and Guide Dogs, all in a quiet, controlled and private space close to CBD requirements.
Through this partnership, 10 clients were helped directly, 50 dogs were trained and 30 applicants for Guide Dog Trainer Cadet and Puppy Development Advisor roles were assessed.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is Melbourne’s destination for big ideas and inspirational events. Hosting more than 1,200 events each year, MCEC is internationally renowned for its incredible range of spaces, innovative design and jaw-dropping food. At MCEC, they’re passionate about creating inspirational environments. They do this by delivering a personalized service and partnering with their customers to offer ideas, insights and imaginative solutions. They tailor every experience because they realize it’s the little details that make all the difference. Their venue is distinctly Melbourne and they’ve been inspired by the creative, cultural and diverse delights of the city they call home. For more info, visit www.mcec.com.au.
