Showtime Event Group has been appointed to State Library Victoria as the event partner and exclusive caterer.
The appointment marks a milestone in the Library’s Vision 2020 redevelopment – an $88.1 million project to transform the Library’s buildings and services. The ambitious project will see the Library open its first dedicated and purpose-built function space, the Isabella Fraser Room, in late September while in 2019 the Library will open several other event spaces including the stunning heritage room, The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall.
Here’s an overview of a few of the new spaces;
Isabella Fraser Room
A stunning new special event space, the Isabella Fraser Room, will open in August 2018. Named after the Library’s first listed female staff member, this new heritage gallery can be transformed into a sophisticated dining room, perfect for unique weddings, corporate events, business breakfasts and more.
Previously closed to the public, this magnificent room boasts glorious high ceilings and large windows looking over La Trobe Street for beautiful natural light. Designed to accommodate 200 guests, the Isabella Fraser Room is located next to the new world-class exhibition space, the Victoria Gallery, providing an opportunity to create a bespoke curator led-experience for guests. This special event gallery will be directly accessible through a new entrance on La Trobe Street.
Key Features;
- Dedicated Entry via Latrobe Street
- Ornate heritage interior
- Natural light
- Event lighting including rigging
- Adjacent to Victoria Gallery
- Flexible floor space
Capacities – 220 cocktail / 156 banquet / 200 theatre
Floor area – 308m2
The Ian Potter Queens Hall
The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall is one of Melbourne’s most beautiful 19th-century interiors, evoking the splendour of Marvellous Melbourne. Estimated to open in July 2019 current redevelopment works include uncovering the original skylights flooding the room with natural light, revealing the 1860 decorative paint scheme.
By day the Hall will be an inspiring reading room open to the public. By night, it will transform into a special event space, taking full advantage of its historic setting. Dedicated suite of banquet furniture, integrated AV and adjacent finishing kitchen will cement The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall as Melbourne’s premier event space”
Key Features;
- Melbourne’s premier events space
- Reading Room by day, event space by night
- Grand entrance via sweeping marble staircase
- Ornate 19th century heritage interior
- Natural light
- Fully integrated audio visual and event lighting
- Proximity to La Trobe Reading Room
Capacities – 500 cocktail / 290 banquet / 200 theatre
Floor area – 955m2
Hansen Hall
Currently named Palmer Hall, a redeveloped Hansen Hall sits to the left of the main entry between Tulk Building and within the Swanston Street welcome zone. Hansen Hall is well placed to cater for cocktail events, pre arrival for Queens Hall events and potentially smaller seated functions out of Library hours.
Hansen Hall provides direct access via lift to The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall.
Key Features;
- Direct access to Swanston Street Welcome Zone
- Pre-Arrival drink capacity for Conversation Quarter
- Flexible floor area
- Natural light
- Parquetry flooring
- Views to Swanston Street
Capacities – 300 cocktail
Floor area – 316m2
Conversation Quarter
The Conversation Quarter will connect the Library across the state and around the world. This state-of-the-art public forum, due to be completed in July 2019 will be equipped with the latest two-way broadcast technology to take the Library’s events and programs to schools, libraries and homes around Australia while bringing the world’s best events and experiences to Victoria.
It will stream live educational programming and events to regional Victoria, and connect the Library in real-time to international speakers and organisations across the globe. In addition The Conversation Quarter is designed to accommodate seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences, meetings and functions. Located in the Quad, from the Swanston Street welcome zone and close to the service Pantry, it is also well located as a break out space for seminars and other events held in the Conference Centre
Key Features;
- State of the Art IT specification
- 3 centuries of architecture in one space
- 6m x 4.5m digital media wall and integrated AV
- Adjacent to the Conference Centre
- Large flexible floor space
- State of the art – Integrated audio visual
- Natural light
- Variety of casual furniture options
Capacities – 350 cocktail / 200 banquet / 250 theatre
Floor area – 495m2
“State Library Victoria is a truly unique venue and Vision 2020 will reopen some of our most stunning heritage spaces to the public. The Library was honoured to be recognised as Australia’s best specialty venue at this year’s Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Conference, and we’re excited to work the Showtime Event Group to continue to enhance the Library’s reputation as one of nation’s leading venues.” Kate Torney, CEO State Library Victoria.
In alignment with the Library’s vision, Showtime Event Group will be looking to grow the hospitality offering to various event markets: including revitalising the current wedding offering, capitalising on the strong connection the group has to the MICE market, greater accessibility for the local corporate and community market, and rolling out the new approach to the way delegates conference and meet. Showtime Event Group is also a strategic partner of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, in line with their focus around the Business Events market.
“Showtime Event Group is committed to supporting Melbourne Convention Bureau’s mission to showcase Melbourne a leading global business events destination.
“Having worked with the Showtime Event Group for more than 5 years, we were thrilled to have recently welcomed them as a Strategic Partner, enabling us to put Melbourne’s best foot forward to our international clients when showcasing the venue and catering options on offer by Showtime Event Group.” Karen Bolinger, CEO Melbourne Convention Bureau.
‘It’s been a very big 2018 for Showtime Event Group, but it’s something that has been planned for quite some time. We established a 10 year plan in 2012 to become the industries leader, and this an important step in the journey. As exciting as this is, we still have a lot more to roll out in the next few years. It’s a very exciting time to be part of the events industry in Melbourne’. Brad Dabbs, General Manager, Showtime Event Group.
