THE 8th Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session 2015 and the Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) 2017 have made Melbourne their destination of choice.
Some 1,700 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 A$10.5 million (US$9.6 million) for the state economy.
“These 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,” said Victorian minister for tourism and major events, Louise Asher.
Since December 2010, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has secured 56 international association meetings for the MCEC. These events are expected to attract more than 77,000 delegates and generate A$370 million worth of economic impact for the state of Victoria.
MCB CEO, Karen Bolinger, said 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 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 7,800 roomnights for our accommodation providers,” Bolinger said.
MCEC chief executive, Peter King, said: “The attraction of Melbourne and MCEC continues to be a major drawcard for business events.”
