Double win for Victoria

November 07, 2019

In a double win for Victoria, Melbourne has been chosen as the host city for both the World Optometry Congress 2021 and the International Congress on Obesity 2022.

The World Optometry Congress 2021 is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and generate almost $12 million in economic benefit for Victoria. The forum will provide world-leading experts with the opportunity for professional networking, education and knowledge exchange.

Melbourne has the largest concentration of eye and vision researchers in Australia and the winning bid recognises the city’s reputation as a global centre of excellence.

The International Congress on Obesity 2022, held biennially, will bring together 1,500 global leaders across the fields of science, medicine, research and policy together to showcase the latest research on all aspects of obesity. The event will generate an $11 million benefit to the economy.

Globally recognised as Australia’s knowledge and innovation capital, Melbourne was selected as the best prospect for a successful congress with its vibrant medical and research community and the potential to use these to form international alliances to reduce the burden of obesity.

Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer Julia Swanson said; “This success is a result of Melbourne’s status as Australia’s knowledge and innovation capital, combined with the unified ‘Team Melbourne’ approach that helps us to continuously deliver business events of this calibre.”

The annual value of events secured through the Melbourne Convention Bureau topped $500 million for the first time last financial year, bringing more than 130,000 interstate and international visitors to Victoria.