Melbourne’s star as a top global destination for medical and healthcare business events shines brightly, with a massive 48 medical conferences set to take place within the next five years, attracting around 38,000 delegates.

One reason Melbourne is the preferred destination for medical conferences is the city’s global reputation as a powerhouse in medical research, combined with impressive Medical Precincts and event infrastructure.

The other is due to strong support the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and its Knowledge Partners provide associations and corporate event planners to achieve engaging programs and outstanding outcomes.

Melbourne’s top notch Medical Precincts and venues

The Victorian Government has shown its commitment to the medical sector by investing in major infrastructure, such as the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct – Australia’s most important life science cluster and one of only five of its calibre in the world.

The Biomedical Precinct

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is made up of over 40 hospitals, medical research institutes, biotechnology organisations and universities largely collocated to the north of Melbourne’s CBD.

The reach of the Precinct goes beyond its geographical boundaries, with collaborations with other universities, hospitals and research organisations throughout Victoria, Australia and the world.

The Precinct employs tens of thousands of people including 10,000 researchers and about 7,000 biomedical, health and medical students located in the Precinct.

Melbourne Connect

Located near the Biomedical Precinct is the impressive Melbourne Connect multipurpose venue.

At its core lies interdisciplinary collaboration, where researchers and industry participants cross traditional disciplines to creatively and ingeniously tackle complex problems. Whether you are pursuing advancements in food security and synthetic biology, developing new medical devices to improve patient care and outcomes, or incorporating new methods of evidence-driven design, Melbourne Connect is a place where ideas have currency and innovation thrives.

Melbourne Connect also offers conference, workshop and event facilities – including a 3,600 sqm2 ‘Super Floor’, a 400-delegate lecture hall, meeting rooms and outdoor spaces.

Science Gallery Melbourne is also part of Melbourne Connect. Part experiment, part exhibition, the Gallery’s programs connect, engage and showcase the work of artists, scientists, researchers, industry, and a global network of collaborators.

Learn more about Melbourne Connect’s conference space

New medical infrastructure underway

Melbourne’s medical infrastructure continues to grow, with construction underway on the state-of-the-art $206 million Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) - Australia’s first hospital-based biomedical engineering research centre.

Due for completion in late 2024, ACMD brings together clinicians, engineers and scientists to tackle complex health challenges and collectively forge paths to uncover new treatments and techniques. ACMD also works with industry to accelerate medical discoveries and bring them to life.

Accessing MCB Knowledge Partners to optimise your program

MCB run a successful Knowledge Partnership Program and work with Club Melbourne Ambassadors to secure and host your organisation’s conference as well as support and enhance program development, tap into guest speakers and optimise your event.

Through our connections, you can access ten medical MCB Knowledge Partners including:

Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute (Bio21Institute): A multidisciplinary research centre specialising in medical, agricultural and environmental biotechnology. Below is an example of one of their recent initiatives:

Melbourne pharmaceutical company Cyclotek and University of Melbourne’s Bio21 Institute have announced a significant collaboration into the development of radiopharmaceuticals for their Australian and Global partners.

This initiative enables Cyclotek to establish a designated radiopharmaceutical research and development laboratory within the Bio21 Institute. The new lab demonstrates capabilities to engage with radionuclides that are garnering attention due to the technological advances in their production and for molecular targeted therapies.

Learn more about Bio21Institute

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI): Brings together medical researchers to solve the most complex health problems. Below is an example of some of their recent achievements:

Dr Lucy Gately is a clinician researcher at WEHI and part of the team at the Melbourne Brain Cancer Centre, home of Australia’s largest brain research collaboration. She is researching personalised treatment options for brain cancer patients and has opened the world’s first neuro-oncology registry trial here in Australia.

Research also led by WEHI, in collaboration with University of Melbourne and other national and international institutions, has resulted in a landmark discovery linking iron regulation to a rare blood cancer. This has led to clinical trials of a potential new treatment for patients with the incurable disease.   

Learn more WEHI

A medical conference program that is fully walkable

One of the highlights for medical conference organisers and delegates when choosing Melbourne, is the ease of getting around.

There is a huge selection of conference venues, gala dinner venues and accommodation all within walking distance, eliminating the need for organising additional transfers. Delegates will also enjoy staying in the heart of Melbourne, rather than miles out of town, which is often the case in other major cities.

A brilliant, fully walkable program for medical conferences in Melbourne includes:

Accommodation: Ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartment (250 rooms and conference space for up to 300 delegates)

Conference Venue: Melbourne Connect (12 minute walk from Ibis with multiple conference and breakout spaces)

Gala Dinner Venue: State Library Victoria (7 minute walk from Ibis | 290 pax banquet – 520 pax cocktail)

Gala Event Location: Old Melbourne Gaol (7 minute walk from Ibis | 120 pax banquet – 350 pax cocktail)

See more info about this medical conference program example and google map walking route

Image credit: State Library Victoria business event by Showtime Events Group

Include Melbourne in your next medical conference bid opportunity

As Australia’s knowledge and innovation capital, Melbourne is a key global destination for successful medical conferences and impressive legacies.

MCB provides free support to help your organisation secure hosting rights throughout the bidding journey and once successful, working with you to bring your event to life in Melbourne. MCB has representation in five counties, across key international markets including UK/Europe, North America, North Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Contact the Melbourne Convention Bureau to learn more.