In July, the Viruses of Microbes Conference (VoM) convened in Cairns, Australia, marking the first time the 14-year-old conference has stepped outside Europe.

The International Society for Viruses of Microorganisms (ISVM), which aims to advance the study and application of microorganism viruses, debuted the first VoM conference in Paris back in 2010.

Under the theme ‘Expanding our viral frontiers’ the Australian edition attracted more than 500 participants who set about discussing microbial virus research advancement for five days.

Jeremy J. Barr, associate professor from Monash University and co-chair of the meeting, highlighted that, “Hosting this meeting in Australia, marking the first time it has been held outside of Europe, is a significant and impactful legacy. This is an exciting time for Australian science as we emerge as leaders in the field. This event will not only promote Australian and New Zealand researchers but also enhance our scientific contributions and attract more people to Australia in the long run.”

The Conference programme featured 13 symposia that covered a wide array of topics from phage therapy, evolution, and ecology to structural biology, bioinformatics, and the microbiome.

VoM 2024 prioritised students and early-career researchers (ECRs), with dedicated symposium sessions for student-delivered oral talks, which comprised 41 per cent of the sessions providing crucial exposure for the next generation of phage researchers. ECR networking events and a pre-meeting workshop on effective science communication enhanced the Conference’s impact.

“This was front and centre from the inception of our meeting. We tried to ensure gender and career representation across Australia and New Zealand,” Barr added. “I’m proud of our early career researchers and the geographical diversity of our speakers - we’ve had speakers from Australia New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and North America on top of our traditional European clientele. This was something we were invested in.”

He also reflected on his experiences as an ECR: “I was fortunate to have many opportunities to present my work at Conferences, which made my career. Now, I want to give back and ensure that the younger people in our field have those same opportunities.”

Cairns is a significant player in the health sector, particularly in tropical health.

Institutions including the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) at James Cook University are leading advancements in disease research, further emphasising the region’s significance in the health sector.

“The decision to host the meeting in Cairns was a simple one. Cairns offers a unique experience with its diverse and unique wildlife, scenery, and setting. It’s not often that one has a Conference on a tropical coral reef with a rainforest just above.”

“Cairns’ laid-back atmosphere, friendly people, and Australian culture add to the charm, making it a memorable experience for international delegates. The facilities at the Cairns Convention Centre are world-class, some of the best in the country, and Cairns’ regional character has kept a local, connected feel for the meeting.”

More than 70 per cent of delegates travelled from overseas to VoM 2024, representing 46 countries, including South Korea, USA, and the UK.

Kate Smith, managing director of WALDRONSMITH Management who provided professional conference organiser services for the Conference, said, “Cairns was certainly a standout, its beautiful appeal, especially in July, and its world-famous Great Barrier Reef were key factors in attracting international attendees to the Conference. The combination of these aspects gave the committee the confidence to choose Cairns.

“The Cairns Convention Centre’s meticulous planning and attention to detail provided a seamless experience. Hosting young scientists from over 40 countries has been extraordinary. WALDRONSMITH was privileged to be part of this remarkable event.” Barr added.

“Cairns Convention Centre has been incredible throughout this whole process. They’ve been extremely professional and responsive. It’s been an optimal location for a Conference, we couldn’t have asked for anything better”

Business Events Australia executive general manager, commercial, Robin Mack, said supporting Cairns Convention Centre’s successful bid to host the International Society for Viruses of Microorganisms presented a significant tourism opportunity for the Tropical North Queensland region.

“Given the importance of business events to Australia’s economy, we are so pleased to have supported this event win for Cairns through our Business Events Australia Bid Fund Program, which also spotlighted Cairns as a global hub of specialist knowledge in tropical health and medicine,” said Mack.

“Since its inception, our Bid Fund program has been helping to support a thriving visitor economy by building a strong pipeline of future international business events across Australia.”