Several
international association events contributed to a ‘mega May’ for Melbourne,
which hosted 46 business events during the month while securing a string of
valuable events for the years ahead.
Undoubtedly
the highlight for the month was the 2023 Rotary International Convention, which
attracted 14,000 Rotary members from 120 countries and delivered a AUS$91m
boost to the economy.
The
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has secured more events across a range of sectors
including the World Congress on Leisure Travel 2027, the 21st International
Celiac Disease Symposium 2026, and the International Conference on Ocean Energy
2024, all to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
In
total, the events held in May filled 61,375 hotel room nights and contributed
$148m to the economy.
The
Victorian Government’s National Business Events Program has helped to drive the
domestic market with funding delivered to 53 events since it launched in 2021,
which has helped to sustain momentum across the sector and its supply chain.
MCB
chief executive Julia Swanson said the bureau was proud to have played a
significant role in securing these events for Victoria.
“As the state’s leading
business events acquisition agency, MCB works with many industry partners and these wins reinforce
Melbourne’s reputation as a top business events destination.
"As
city of great minds, world leading innovation in a range of sectors, our world
class infrastructure and appealing attractions and experiences has led
Melbourne to become a coveted destination across all segments of the business
events sector.”
MCEC chief executive,
Natalie O’Brien AM said MCEC was proud to host events that ‘bring together
industry leaders from around the world’.
“We are
thrilled to see Melbourne continue to be recognised as a premier destination
for business events. Through our partnership with MCB, we showcase the best of
Melbourne to the world,” she said. "Our team at
MCEC is committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our clients and
their delegates, and we look forward to welcoming even more events to our venue
in the future.”
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison
said the Business Events Bid Fund Program continued to secure a strong future
pipeline of international business events to Australia.
“Securing important bids to host events like Herbalife
India 2023 is great for Melbourne and Australia and will deliver significant benefits
to the visitor economy,” she said.
MCB’s pipeline of
business events is strong, with 147 international and national business events
confirmed from now until 2028 worth more than $821 million in economic
contribution. These events will attract more than 158,000 delegates which will
fill 441,000 hotel room nights – enough to fill the city 18 times over.
