The Andrews Labor Government has secured three international business events that will bring 4,000 delegates to Melbourne, filling 10,000 hotel room nights and delivering more than $23 million in economic impact.
The 2022 annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society will provide an opportunity for Australia’s diverse geoscience community to interact with fellow experts in the field.
Geoscience research is crucial to finding solutions to climate change including evaluating mitigation and adaptation options, to aid sustainable global development.
More than 2,500 delegates from 50 countries are expected to attend the event, delivering an economic impact of more than $15 million from the six-day conference.
Melbourne has also been chosen as the host city of the Harm Reduction International Conference in 2021, reflecting its leadership in the field.
To be held over four days in May next year with more than 1,000 delegates anticipated to attend, the conference is an opportunity to show how Melbourne and Australia have been an early and strong adopter of harm reduction measures.
The third conference win, the 2022 Asian Racing Conference, will bring around 600 racing industry leaders from more than 30 countries to Melbourne.
The conference program will provide opportunities for delegates to attend race meetings and take tours through stud establishments in regional Victoria.
All three events have been secured through the Melbourne Convention Bureau, which generated $507 million in economic benefit last financial year and brought 136,000 interstate and international visitors to Victoria.
The $205 million redevelopment of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has been a key factor in building the state’s business events capacity – cementing the Yarra-edge precinct’s reputation as a leading conference hub.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
“Victoria leads the way in business events and these latest acquisitions show that we have the infrastructure, the expertise and the networks to attract international events in a variety of fields.”
“Business events make a significant contribution to Victoria’s visitor economy and the benefits are spread across the state, with many delegates hitting the road for trips to the regions.”
Quote attributable to Melbourne Convention Bureau chief executive Julia Swanson
“These new conferences reinforce Melbourne’s standing as a top business events destination and will bring with them thousands of new visitors to Victoria.”
Reviewed 30 July 2020