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Image: Flinders Street Station at night. Supplied by Melbourne Convention Bureau Collaboration and innovation has seen Melbourne secure two of the world’s leading technology conferences expected to attract 1,200 global blockchain gurus and technology players to the city over the next two years.

In an Australian first, Melbourne will host the largest blockchain series in the world - The World Block Chain Summit (WBS) 2022 and the Association for Computing Machinery's annual international conference on multimedia - The ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACM MM 2024) in 2024.

Combined these events are expected to deliver $5.2 million in economic contribution to the Victorian economy and almost 2,850 room nights that will boost the Victorian hotel and accommodation sector.

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) Chief Executive Julia Swanson said, “Melbourne is a place that inspires experimentation, innovation and creativity. Our city’s growing reputation is credited to its healthy startup ecosystem and vibrant creative industries which attract high profile events.

“These business events will play a key role in showcasing local talent and spark collaborations between international networks and industries to drive economic growth right across our Victoria.”

The WBS takes place in over 16 destinations across the world and brings together an elite gathering of technology leaders, start-ups and enterprises from over 52 countries to share, educate and discuss the latest trends in emerging technologies.

Both events will be hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, kicking off with The World Block Chain Summit from 15-16 September 2022 and from 28 October – 1 November 2024, the ACM MM 2024.

Through a partnership with Victorian State Government, Business Events Australia, Trescon, a global business events and consulting firm, Monash University, as well as expert Local Organizing Committees from across Australia and the Asia Pacific region, MCB steered the proposal to secure these events for Melbourne.

“Melbourne has a global reputation for collaboration with federal, local and state governments, as well as city-wide partners working together to successfully secure and deliver conferences.

“This collaborative approach sets us apart, this unrivalled expertise means Melbourne stands alone in its ability to deliver world class business events,” added Ms. Swanson.

Trescon Chief Executive Officer, Mithun Shetty is happy to bring the world's biggest and most-elite blockchain summit series to Australia for the first time.

“Key Government bodies across the globe have utilised Trescon and WBS as a launchpad in their roadmaps for emerging technologies. With the help of MCB and the Victorian State Government, the Australian edition will be executed with a strong focus to attract investments to Victoria."

Also commenting on the wins, Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said, “We are thrilled that Melbourne has been chosen as the host destination for the ACM International Conference on Multimedia in 2024, and pleased that Tourism Australia has been able to support this outcome through its Bid Fund Program.

“Australia has a world-class business events offering and attracting large-scale international events has a significant role to play in not only both generating global attention for Australia’s capabilities but also in supporting the recovery of our tourism industry more broadly in the immediate years to come.”

ACM SIGMM Chair Prof Alberto Del Bimbo added, “The ACM SIGMM Steering and Executive Committees are absolutely thrilled to select Melbourne as the host city for 2024. The strong support of MCB, the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia along with the expertise that Victoria and Australia have in digital technologies and multimedia will ensure the event is a great success for our global community.”

ACM MULTIMEDIA 24: Melbourne, General Chairs Jianfei Cai, Mohan Kankanhalli, Balakrishnan Prabhakaran and Susanne Boll announced at the ACM SIGMM Executive Committee meeting, on 22 October 2021.

Annual results point to a bright future for business events in Melbourne MCB secured 40 business events worth $150M for Victoria

Over 65,800 room nights secured - enough to fill the city 3 times

Strong pipeline of business and contribution to the State up until 2028

Over 1,800 jobs created from business events secured

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has outlined encouraging results in its 2020/21 Annual Report released today, announcing they have secured 40 business events worth $150 million to add to its strong pipeline of future events for Melbourne. From 2022-2028, this pipeline now boasts 118 business events that will attract 133,495 delegates, filling 387,372 hotel room nights across the city and set to inject $804 million into Victoria’s visitor economy.

Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting, MCB Chief Executive Julia Swanson reflected on the challenges created by the pandemic and how the Bureau’s purpose has never been more relevant than over the past year.

“Driving economic and social progress for Victoria by securing and delivering world class business events, has provided MCB with a strong sense of direction in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, we have delivered a sound result, strengthening Melbourne’s position as a global leader in business events and reinforcing Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s event capital.

“Our strategy has been the right one to guide the organisation in laying the foundation for a bright future for business events in our State. From enhancing our profile and business opportunities across both international and domestic markets, engaging stakeholders, and an ambition to provide a leading digital experience for professional event organisers and event planners globally,” said Ms. Swanson.

Originally published by Melbourne Convention Bureau 30 November 2021 >>

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