Melbourne, Australia, opened its new convention center on June 22, a project that features 32 meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, a 5,000-seat plenary hall and an entry-level foyer equipped to hold up to 8,400 visitors.The Melbourne Convention Centre is located along the banks of the Yarra River, integrated with the city’s exhibition center. It’s within walking distance, via paths and footbridges, to a number of local attractions, including the Southern Star Observation Wheel, sporting and entertainment event venue Telstra Dome, Melbourne’s city center and Southgate, Melbourne’s arts and leisure district. Two of the city’s public venues, Federation Square and the Arts Centre, are accessible by tram.Developers said the convention center already has been booked for 50 major international conventions and an estimated 190 national events prior to its opening.The project’s developers also are touting the environmental considerations that went into the convention center. Those include use of solar panels for all of the public amenity hot water requirements, a high fresh air volume inside the center and the center’s expansive glass façade that will provide a high degree of natural light.Originally published June 22, 2009