For meeting planners with a fondness for gin, it’s official: South Australia now lays claim to the world’s best gin. Named 78 Degrees and produced in Nairne, a small township about 30 minutes east of Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills Distillery won top honors at the 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards in Baltimore. The distillery received double gold in its class, best in category and best international gin, beating out thousands of entrants.
While most MICE planners don’t choose destinations solely for their spirits, this award reflects South Australia’s rising profile in hospitality. New hotels, restaurants and bars are appearing across Adelaide, the state capital of roughly 1.3 million people. Urban revitalization projects have introduced bold architectural elements into the city’s performing arts venues, museums, residential and office developments.
South Australia covers some 380,000 square miles—roughly the size of Texas and Arizona combined—and the state government has committed approximately $74 billion to infrastructure projects. Much of that investment is visible in Adelaide, where major streets and the River Torrens are being transformed into attractive urban landscapes.
Central to the city’s redevelopment is a $2 billion investment in the Adelaide Riverbank precinct, a concentrated convention, entertainment and research hub focused on business meetings and conventions, medical research, education, the arts and sports. Riverbank initiatives include the $148 million South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), refreshed landscaping at the Adelaide Festival Centre and Festival Plaza, a proposed $220 million expansion of the Adelaide Casino, and the recently completed first phase of the $260 million Adelaide Convention Centre expansion.
Adelaide Convention Centre © ADELAIDE CONVENTION BUREAU
Adelaide attracts medical conferences in part because the Adelaide Convention Bureau has built a close relationship with SAHMRI, drawing meetings and conventions to the sunlit city on Australia’s south coast. The city also appeals to groups in minerals and energy, bioscience, defense and aerospace, education, advanced manufacturing and aquaculture.
The Riverbank precinct’s tight clustering of the Adelaide Convention Centre, medical research facilities and university campuses creates a highly integrated environment for convention visitors. Hotels, restaurants and attractions lie within easy walking distance, and a free tram helps delegates move around the city. Adelaide is also regarded as one of Australia’s more affordable state capitals, with a Mediterranean climate and the convenience that many popular venues are within 20 minutes of each other.
The Adelaide Convention Centre’s recent expansion extends across the southern bank of the River Torrens. The new East Building projects above the boardwalk and offers expansive views toward Adelaide Oval and nearby landmarks. Featuring the world’s largest rotating seating platform—two 54-foot revolving drums accommodating up to 320 people each—the space can be rapidly reconfigured for conferences, events and concerts.
One of the first major events in the expanded centre was the 68th International Astronautical Congress, drawing thousands of space professionals including astronauts, agency heads, engineers, scientists, policy experts and students. The expansion introduced new technologies and set a fresh benchmark in convention centre design and functionality, enhancing the delegate experience with a more personal and accessible environment.
Nearby Adelaide Oval has also become a sought-after function venue since its redevelopment. The stadium, which first hosted conferences in 2014, offers advanced audiovisual systems, hospitality suites, open boxes, bars, terraces and food courts, making it suitable for sports-related meetings and large events.
SKYCITY Adelaide Casino operates within the heritage-listed 1920s Adelaide Railway Station. A significant expansion proposal would add a striking new building adjacent to the original station, linked by a glass atrium. The design features layered, wave-like glass and will include signature restaurants, an 80-room deluxe hotel and enhanced gaming and entertainment facilities, further increasing the city’s appeal to MICE groups.
Business tourism is a vital part of South Australia’s economy. In the last financial year the Adelaide Convention Bureau secured events that delivered an estimated $157 million in economic benefit, attracting more than 50,000 visiting delegates and generating over 220,000 bed nights for the city.
Major MICE hotel options in Adelaide’s Central Business District include Hilton Adelaide (374 guestrooms, 17 meeting rooms), InterContinental Adelaide (367 rooms, 11 meeting spaces), Stamford Plaza (335 rooms, 11 meeting rooms) and Stamford Grand on the beachfront (220 rooms, 12 meeting rooms), located about 20 minutes from the CBD with ocean, city and Adelaide Hills views.
Hotel capacity continues to expand. New properties scheduled to open include a 5-star, 245-suite Sofitel downtown and a 245-room Holiday Inn Express, along with a 240-room Lester Hotel and a 200-room Aloft Adelaide. Plans have also been announced for a Sheraton in North Adelaide.
Adelaide is famed for its festivals—such as the Adelaide Festival and Fringe Festival—and its vibrant gallery scene makes for attractive off-site programming. The Art Gallery of South Australia hosts a notable collection, including an extensive selection of Rodin bronzes, among the largest holdings in the Southern Hemisphere. The Jam Factory is a prominent arts hub offering studios and programs focused on ceramics, jewelry, glass and furniture, suited to group visits and creative off-site experiences.
UNESCO has designated Adelaide a City of Music, which strengthens the case for including musical venues in event programs. Local cultural leaders note that the recognition helps bring international music to Adelaide and promotes the city’s creative industries on a global stage, supporting musicians, music lovers and international connections.
UNIQUE VENUES
The Barossa Valley, a renowned wine region about 37 miles northeast of Adelaide, provides memorable off-site MICE venues such as Château Tanunda. The winery, housed in a castle, offers a ballroom accommodating 470 for banquet-style events, a long room seating 80 at one table, outdoor terraces for cocktail functions and a well-maintained cricket oval with a capacity of 1,500.
The Adelaide Hills are another popular daytrip or post-conference destination, known for wine, culinary experiences and scenic hotel accommodations. The Louise in the Barossa Valley provides an intimate meeting venue for executive retreats and small incentive groups. Its 15 suites include private courtyards and vineyard views, and the hotel’s Appellation restaurant is consistently recognized as one of Australia’s top dining destinations. Group activities commonly include private wine tastings, vineyard tours, cooking classes and hot air balloon flights—appealing options for planners seeking distinctive delegate experiences.