Large-scale international conventions - such as the 106th
Lions International Convention and the World Health Summit Regional Meeting - contributed
to a bumper year for Melbourne, as a host city for business events, according
to the city’s convention bureau (MCB).
A total of 213 events were held this year, 12 per cent
increase more than last year, which contributed a whopping $371m to the Australian
city’s regional economy, the bureau said.
And there appears to be no let up. During the 2023-24
financial year, the bureau secured a further 215 business events, likely to attract
tens of thousands of visitors in the next few years.
MCB chief executive Julia Swanson said the events they had won, 'were an asset for local'.
Upcoming events include the World Chambers Congress 2025, the
International College of Neuropsychopharmacology World Congress 2025, the IEEE
International Conference on Industrial Engineering & Engineering Management
2025, and the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025.
Chair of the MCB Board, Deborah Beale AM, said: “The 2023/24
financial year has been a milestone for the Melbourne Convention Bureau, marked
by a series of outstanding achievements that underscore our commitment to
excellence. These results speak to MCB’s enduring legacy of over fifty years in
the business events sector, driven by the dedication and vision of our team. As
we look to the future, MCB remains steadfast in showcasing Melbourne’s unique
strengths as a global events destination, fostering a pipeline that will
continue to deliver lasting benefits to the state and its dynamic business
events landscape.”
