Sydney has won the bid to host the 2030 Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress, reinforcing its standing as a leading destination for large-scale medical meetings in the region.
The congress will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney and hosted by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, bringing together 5,500 medical professionals, researchers and clinicians. The event will focus on clinical advancements aimed at preventing blindness and restoring sight.
The bid was secured by Business Events Sydney in partnership with RANZCO during the APAO Congress in Hong Kong. The win follows a multi-year effort involving collaboration with leading ophthalmologists and stakeholders across Australia.
The event is projected to generate A$21 million (about US$15 million) in direct expenditure for the visitor economy, supporting jobs across tourism, hospitality and events sectors.
Amanda Lampe, CEO of BESydney, highlighted Sydney’s strengths in the healthcare field: “Sydney is a hub for health and research innovation, strengthened by expanding medical and health precincts and emerging industries across the life sciences.
“Our city brings together globally respected universities and healthcare institutions, advanced research facilities, world-class conference facilities and a welcoming, well‑supported environment for delegates,” she added.
RANZCO president Peter McCluskey said the congress will provide a platform for education, collaboration and knowledge exchange across the Asia-Pacific region: “The Congress brings extraordinary talent from across the Asia Pacific to our region and creates a powerful platform to expand education, collaboration, and shared leadership. We look forward to working with the APAO over the coming years to deliver a world-class Congress.”
According to BESydney, the successful bid was supported by key figures in the medical community, including global ambassador Professor Frank Martin, Professor Nitin Verma, Professor Colin Chan and Dr Joevy Lim, alongside RANZCO’s leadership and management team.
