Three ways the Melbourne Convention Bureau can provide free conference support

November 28, 2023

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) provides free conference, incentive program and corporate meeting support.

If you’re a member of an organisation interested in bidding to host a conference in Melbourne, here are three ways MCB can provide free assistance.

1. Investigating potential funding opportunities

Your organisation may be able to tap into State or national funding opportunities to incentivise conferences to choose Melbourne as their host destination. You may fit the criteria if your organisation is in the following sectors:

• Professional services and finance
• Engineering
• Health, medical, technologies and pharmaceuticals
• Energy and environment
• Education
• Information and communication technology
• Transport and logistics
• Food and fibre

Contact the Melbourne Convention Bureau if you’re considering bidding to host a convention and would like to find out more about eligibility for funding.

2. Venue selection assistance

If you’ve already decided to bring your conference to Melbourne, or MCB has assisted you to secure hosting rights for your conference, our Convention Servicing team can provide free support to build a Request for Proposal (RFP) and send to recommended venues (or accommodation).

With in-depth local knowledge of suppliers across Melbourne and regional Victoria, and over 120 partner suppliers, you can be assured of finding the best venue to suit your convention’s needs.

Contact the Melbourne Convention Bureau for assistance with venue selection for your conference.

3. Introductions to key industry stakeholders including government and academia

As part of MCB’s Knowledge Program, our team can facilitate introductions to key government, industry and sector leaders, and academic contacts that may be able to support your bid application, such as providing key data or letters of support.

These contacts may also be valuable in navigating any unique requirements for your business event. Or they may be interested in attending your convention to provide a welcome speech, VIP networking session, sit on a discussion panel, or participate as a keynote speaker.

For example, MCB facilitated the City of Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s involvement in the International Rotary Convention. Mayor Capp attended the Opening Session held at Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne & Olympic Parks, participated in live television broadcast crosses and delivered a welcome speech to 14,000 delegates. 

Image: City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp speaking at the 2023 Rotary International Convention Opening Ceremony.

Another example is when the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) decided to bid for the World Chambers Congress, MCB supported them every step of the way, including the facilitation of support from the Victorian Government. Yet the support didn't stop once the event was acquired. The MCB UK team, in partnership with VCCI, set up a booth at the 2023 World Chambers Congress to assist with delegate boosting for the event coming to Melbourne in 2025.

Interested to know more?

Reach out to MCB, visit our ‘Why bid’ with MCB page or read our Conference Service Support section to understand all the free services MCB provides.