Why global cancer authorities choose Melbourne

January 31, 2024

Thanks to two recent bid wins, Melbourne will play a vital role in the global battle against cancer as the city hosts the World Indigenous Cancer Conference 2024 and the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025. This remarkable feat is a testament to Melbourne's growing influence in the healthcare sector, and in particular, the global reputation of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) and the VCCC Alliance.

What is the VCCC and VCCC Alliance?

The VCCC is Australia's first ever, purpose-build comprehensive cancer centre. It was built with the vision to save lives by connecting the world's best cancer research, education, treatment and care under one roof. Since opening in 2016, the vision has become an exciting reality with a multitude of achievements notched up.

The building - located at the heart of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct - is home to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac), Australia’s leading cancer treatment, education and research institute.

It is also a cancer research and education facility for Melbourne Health and the University of Melbourne and supports shared clinical services between Peter Mac, The Royal Women’s Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, including a new electronic medical record (EMR) system. It's where the best and brightest medical minds work side-by-side to fast-track future cancer breakthroughs and deliver first-class care and treatment to patients.

The VCCC Alliance headquarters are based in the VCCC.

The VCCC Alliance is a powerful partnership of 10 leading research, academic and clinical institutions, working together to fundamentally reshape the way we tackle cancer. Through strategic, structured collaboration the alliance drives change at a system level. Their innovative, integrated approach helps accelerate the translation of cutting-edge scientific evidence into better outcomes for people affected by cancer.

How the Melbourne Convention Bureau and VCCC Alliance work together

The successful bid to host the World Indigenous Cancer Conference 2024 was led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau in partnership with the VCCC and with support from the Victorian Government. 

The summit, to be held at Pullman Melbourne on the Park, 18-20^th March 2024, will bring together key Indigenous cancer researchers, clinicians, advocates, and community members to exchange knowledge. This marks a significant step toward recognising and addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the battle against cancer.

VCCC played a crucial role in ensuring Melbourne was the chosen to host this summit. With its state-of-the-art research facilities and a collaborative approach uniting experts from diverse fields, the VCCC has fostered an environment conducive to pioneering discoveries and progress in cancer treatment and contributed to Melbourne's reputation in the healthcare industry and ability to attract international events of this magnitude.

The choice of Melbourne for this event also underscores the city's commitment to cultural inclusivity and by bringing together experts from around the world in a destination that values diversity, the WICS is set to create a meaningful impact on the approach to cancer care within Indigenous communities.

In addition, MCB worked with the VCCC Alliance, in partnership with Victoria Cancer Council, to steer the proposal to win World Cancer Leaders Summit 2025 in Melbourne for the second time. 

The World Cancer Leaders Summit win is a great example of MCB's famed Team Melbourne approach to securing business events, with additional support also coming from Monash Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer and the Victorian Government to secure the event.

To be held across three days, the summit will convene esteemed industry leaders from across the globe for an exclusive invitation only discussion on merging issues related to cancer.  The summit will provide the perfect platform to experience, ideas, research findings, and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing cancer research, prevention, and treatment on a global scale to be shared.

Get in touch with the Melbourne Convention Bureau about your future cancer conference