$10 million in medical conference wins for Melbourne

Melbourne has secured the rights to host two major medical conferences – the 8th Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session for 2015 and the Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) for 2017. 
Around 1700 delegates will converge on the city for the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session, while 900 scientists, patients and medical professionals are expected to attend the Congress on SLE. Both events will be held over four days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and will generate approximately $10.5 million for the state economy.

“These recent successful bids add to some of the world’s largest and most prestigious medical conferences Melbourne has won in the last few years, including the International AIDS Conference and the World Congress of Cardiology, both of which will be held in 2014,” Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said.

Since December 2010, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has secured 56 international association meetings for the MCEC estimated to attract more than 77,000 delegates and forecast to generate around $370 million worth of economic impact for the state of Victoria.

MCB Chief Executive Officer Karen Bolinger said that working collaboratively with the organisation’s partners was the key to success.

“Our proven bidding strategy, working with local hosts such as the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) in the case of the Lupus bid, has seen Melbourne secure a further two medical events that will create a number of flow on business opportunities for the city, including an estimated 7800 room nights for our accommodation providers,” Ms Bolinger said.

“We are extremely proud of the results we have achieved for MCEC and the state of Victoria, and I would like to thank the Victorian Coalition Government for their ongoing support of our organisation.”

MCEC Chief Executive Peter King said MCEC was delighted to host these two medical conferences.

“These are key wins for Melbourne and Victoria, bringing almost 3000 delegates to the venue over their duration and contributing a significant amount to the state’s economy,” Mr King said.

“The attraction of Melbourne and MCEC continues to be a major drawcard for business events.”