A City in a Park – Adelaide Convention CentreAs Australia’s first purpose-built convention centre, ACC has continually evolved, now offering 20,000 square metres of event space across three seamlessly interconnected buildings. Situated just 15 minutes from Adelaide Airport and within walking distance of over 4,000 hotel rooms, the Centre provides a seamless experience for event organisers and delegates alike.
ACC has also firmly positioned itself as a leader in environmental management and community engagement. In 2023, it became the first convention centre globally to achieve EarthCheck’s Master certification, recognising over 15 years of best practices in business, environmental and social sustainability. This commitment has been further strengthened through the launch of Adelaide Venue Management’s (AVM) – proud operators of ACC – Community Impact Program, an initiative designed to help business events leave a meaningful and lasting legacy in South Australia.
A Framework for Meaningful Impact
The Community Impact Program is an extension of the Centre’s broader sustainability initiatives, providing event organisers with a clear framework to contribute positively to the local community. It is structured around four key pillars: Community, Environment, First Nations, and Goods Donations, ensuring a holistic approach to social responsibility.
The program forms impactful collaborations with key organisations across South Australia. Through a principal partnership with Operation Flinders, ACC supports initiatives that empower at-risk youth, offering them life-changing opportunities through adventure-based learning. In addition to youth development, the Centre actively engages in environmental conservation through its alliance with Trees For Life, which promotes tree planting and habitat restoration.
ACC’s commitment to reconciliation is reflected in its partnership with Reconciliation South Australia, an organisation that facilitates educational and cultural engagement opportunities with First Nations communities. Meanwhile, a collaboration with Vinnies ensures that business events contribute directly to individuals experiencing hardship, with unused goods and essential items being redirected to those in need.
Sarah Goldfinch, General Manager of Adelaide Convention Centre, emphasises the importance of this initiative in aligning with the Centre’s mission: “As South Australia’s home of business events, our charter is to not only to deliver unforgettable client and delegate experiences, but help deliver social benefits for South Australia. The Community Impact Program provides a fantastic framework to build on this.”
A key driver behind the program is the growing demand from event organisers for legacy initiatives. Business events today focus on bringing people together to create real, measurable change. AVM’s Community Impact Program makes it easy for organisers to integrate social responsibility into their event planning in Adelaide, ensuring that every conference, exhibition, or meeting held at the ACC leaves a lasting contribution to the region.
Goldfinch says: “Our Community Impact Program is about harnessing the power of business events to drive positive change; it’s about responding to client requests to provide legacy suggestions here in our own backyard and making it easy for events to have a lasting impact in South Australia.”
Sustainability as a Cornerstone of Operations
The Community Impact Program is just one element of the ACC’s broader sustainability strategy, which is embedded in every aspect of its operations. Under The Green Print, a four-year Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy introduced by Adelaide Venue Management (AVM), the Centre has set ambitious targets for waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable sourcing.
The Centre has diverted 99% of its waste from landfill, driven by Adelaide’s first WasteMaster system, which has processed over 112 tonnes of organic waste and converted it into 39 tonnes of nutrient-rich fertiliser. The Centre’s dedication to food redistribution has also made a tangible impact, with 240,000 unused meals donated to local community organisations, including Faithworks, Foodbank, and OzHarvest to support those facing food insecurities.
On the energy front, ACC continues to reduce consumption through ongoing upgrades, working to transition 100% of venue lighting to LED by 2027. Sustainable procurement is another critical focus, with 97% of produce sourced from South Australian suppliers, supporting local farmers and reducing carbon emissions from transportation.
A City-Wide Approach to Conferences
ACC’s commitment to legacy-building extends beyond its in-house initiatives. The venue adopts a city-wide approach to business events, working closely with clients and local stakeholders to deliver customised services that benefit both event delegates and the broader Adelaide community.
Goldfinch highlights the importance of collaboration in enhancing the delegate experience: “Our city-wide approach is all about listening to our clients and working together as a team to deliver a tailored Adelaide solution, which is what we hear time and time again is key to our destination’s appeal, and why clients keep coming back.”
This approach rises above event logistics to look for meaningful connections between conference organisers, local industries, and community groups. Goldfinch explains: “From facilitating connections to leading lights within our innovation precincts to supporting local legacy opportunities, we like to make it easy to do business in Adelaide. Our approach is all about helping add value to conference programs to enhance the delegate experience.”