These events are collectively worth $252 million in economic impact to the city. The 215 events are expected to bring 58,000 attendees and fill 109,000 room nights in Melbourne.
MCB’s results also show some symmetry – 215 events secured by the bureau were delivered over the 2023-2024 financial year, contributing an estimated $371 million to the economy. The outsized economic impact is likely due to the size of some events held in Melbourne during the year to June 30 – the Lions International Convention in June had more than 10,500 delegates and an estimated economic impact of $68 million all on its own.
For events held between July 2023 and June 2024, the economic impact is 12 per cent higher than the previous year, which also had its own blockbuster conference in the Rotary International Convention, which had around 14,000 attendees.
Amongst the event wins of the last financial year were 86 incentive events, which are responsible for $34 million in economic impact and will generate 14,000 room nights.
Incentives are also a win for regional Victoria, with 100 per cent of incentive groups that travelled to Melbourne last financial year also travelling to regional Victoria.
Next February, Melbourne is set to welcome one of its largest ever incentive movements when Amway China brings over 10,500 incentive delegates to Melbourne for its Leadership Seminar.
“This year has been transformative for Victoria’s business events sector, reinforcing our global reputation,” said MCB chief executive, Julia Swanson.
“Through the unified efforts of Team Melbourne, including the Victorian Government, Visit Victoria, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and our partners, we have not only met but exceeded our strategic goals.
“The events we have secured for Melbourne are an asset for local industry, offering unmatched opportunities for knowledge exchange and economic growth.”
Looking to 2025, there are several major international meetings coming to Melbourne, including the World Chambers Congress 2025, the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology World Congress 2025, the IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management 2025 and the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025.
