Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Narrm, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to Elders of all First Nations communities that visit MCEC.

Club Melbourne

A crowd in the distance looks towards a man in the foreground wearing a suit, talking into a microphone.

We established Club Melbourne to open doors for our amazing city. It's a network of influential thought leaders who work to elevate our state and city into a hub for extraordinary ideas and events. Our ambassadors play a crucial role in securing international events that showcase some of the world's greatest leaders in Melbourne and Victoria. An invaluable contribution that ensures a lasting impact.

The Club Melbourne Ambassador Program

Club Melbourne ambassadors have the support of the Melbourne Convention Bureau and Victorian State Government to attract international events.

They’re people with extraordinary stature giving back to our community. Together, they work towards making an impact on our city’s reputation for academic and business excellence, leadership and global standing.

Since 2005, the Club Melbourne Ambassador Program has helped attract over 150 events, generating more than $1 billion in economic benefit for Victoria.

Events won include the World AIDS Conference, World Diabetes Congress and World Congress of Cardiology.

Want to find out more about how it works – or interested in joining?

For more information, contact Club Melbourne Manager Clare Kellett at ckellett@mcec.com.au .

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Our ambassadors

With over 80 ambassadors that are setting the standard for innovative and inspiring thinking across industries and sectors, you’ll be in exceptional company here.

Zoomed in on the Club Melbourne logo on a sign.
  • Victoria is a global leader in health technology, with Melbourne-based health tech firms worth a combined $149 billion. This is our highest-value export sector at $3.2 billion annually.

    The pandemic emphasized the importance of this industry. We excel in advanced manufacturing of pharmaceutical and medical technology products, including mRNA.

    And the health tech industry has support from the Victorian Government to innovate and improve global health outcomes.

    Alfred Health

    • Associate Professor Bronwyn Levvey

    Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch

    • Associate Professor Neil Hewson

    Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

    • Professor Jonathan Shaw

    Burnet Institute

    • Professor Brendan Crabb AC

    Cartherics

    • Professor Alan Trounson AO

    Department of Human Services (DHS) (Victoria)

    • Professor Euan Wallace AM

    East Melbourne Ultrasound

    • Dr Andrew Ngu

    Epworth Freemasons Hospital

    • Professor Helen O'Connell AO

    La Trobe University

    • Professor Simon Crowe

    • Professor Meg Morris

    Medicines Australia

    • Dr Anna Lavelle

    Melbourne Health

    • Professor Stephen Davis AO

    Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc)

    • Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM

    Monash University

    • Professor John Bertram

    • Professor Arthur Christopoulos

    • Associate Professor Vincent Cousins

    • Professor Susan Davis AO

    • Professor Peter R Ebeling AO

    • Professor Gabor Kovacs AM

    • Professor Robert L. Medcalf

    • Emeritus Professor Phillip Nagley AM

    • Professor Luk Rombauts

    • Professor James Whisstock

    Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

    • Professor Ravi Savarirayan

    National Heart Foundation of Australia (National Head Office) (Victoria)

    • Professor Garry Jennings AO

    Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health

    • Professor Patrick McGorry AO

    Sinclair Dermatology

    • Professor Rodney Sinclair

    St Vincent's Hospital

    • Associate Professor Anna Boltong

    The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

    • Laureate Professor Peter Doherty AC

    • Professor Sharon Lewin AO

    • Professor Peter Revill AM

    The Royal Melbourne Hospital

    • Professor Anthony Costello AM

    • Dr Malcolm Hogg

    • Associate Professor Julie Miller

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor Jose Villadangos

    • Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO

    • Laureate Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO

    Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre

    • Professor Bruce Mann

    • Professor Grant McArthur

    Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)

    • Professor Suzanne Cory AC

    World Gastroenterology Organisation

    • Professor Geoffrey Metz AO

    Independent

    • Mr John Bartlett AM

    • Professor Rodney Hicks

    • Ms Mary Lawson

  • Victoria is a leading global centre for innovation and development, thanks to our ongoing investment in science and research capability.

    By focusing on research infrastructure, skill development, and talent attraction, we continue to lead as a knowledge economy.

    In 2020-21, our professional, scientific, and technical services industry earnings grew by $6.4 billion (19.2%). By investing in biotechnology, we're ensuring a healthy future for all Victorians.

    AAM Group

    • Dr Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed-Ghouse

    AusBiotech Ltd

    • Ms Lorraine Chiroiu

    Austin Health

    • Professor Andrew M. Scott AM

    CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) ACT

    • Dr Cathy Foley AO

    Monash University

    • Emeritus Professor Milton Hearn AM

    Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

    • Professor Kathryn North AC

    Swinburne University of Technology

    • Professor Sarah Maddison

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor Geoffrey Taylor

  • Victoria is known for leading edge, high-quality products, expertise and skilled engineers in various manufacturing fields.

    With a strong focus on engineering excellence, the state is home to a diverse network of design, engineering and advanced manufacturing firms, plus research organisations.

    These contributed to a $6.4 billion growth in mining industry earnings for 2020-21.

    AusIMM (Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy)

    • Mr Stephen Durkin

    CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)

    • Professor Bronwyn Fox

    Federation University Australia

    • Professor Yousef Ibrahim

    Industry Capability Network (Victoria)

    • Ms Dianne Smith

    Swinburne University of Technology

    • Professor Jugdutt Singh

    • Professor Leon Sterling

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor Anthony N. Burkitt

    • Professor Pierluigi Mancarella

    • Professor Thas Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas

    • Professor David Shallcross

    Victoria University

    • Dr Horace King

  • Victoria's agricultural industry is worth $17.5 billion annually, making us Australia's largest food and fibre exporter. This group makes up almost 50% of all goods exported by Australia.

    Sustainable animal industries are vital to our economy and job market, with Victoria employing the most people in agriculture and food industries.

    Our regions are particularly strong, providing over 75% of all agriculture production jobs.

    Australian Association for Hydrogen Energy (AAHE)

    • Dr Attilio Pigneri

    Centre for AgriBioscience

    • Professor German Spangenberg

    Dairy Australia

    • Professor Paul Wood AO

    Parks Victoria

    • Mr Matthew Jackson

    Rocket Seeder

    • Ms Emma Coath

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor Richard Eckard

    • Professor Frank Dunshea

  • Victoria actively supports creation and development, providing resources, grants, and incentives to foster business growth and attract investments. Our state serves as a gateway for businesses seeking to access both domestic and international markets.

    We foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Business initiatives support innovation, collaboration, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to job creation and economic dynamism. Industries such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, professional services, information technology, and tourism play vital roles in driving economic prosperity too.

    Victoria also hosts a diverse range of community groups, providing platforms for individuals to come together, share their ideas, and work collectively for the betterment of their communities. Volunteer organisations and community service groups also play a crucial role in fostering engagement and providing opportunities for people to make a positive impact on their communities.

    Australia Business Events Association

    • Peter King

    Cato Brand Partners

    • Dr Kenneth Cato AO

    Djirri Djirri Cultural Services

    • Mandy Nicholson

    Mark Stone Advisory

    • Mr Mark Stone AM

    RMIT University

    • Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill OAM

    • Professor Anne-Laure Mention

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor Ian Freckelton AO KC

    Victoria by Farmers Daughters

    • Alejandro Saravia

    Victoria University

    • Professor Hans Westerbeek

  • Victoria holds a commendable capacity to deliver a steady stream of infrastructure projects. These enhance the mobility and liveability of its major cities.

    Department of Defence (Australian Capital Territory)

    • Dr Arvind Sinha

    HMI Technologies Pty Ltd

    • Mr Dean Zabrieszach

    Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    • Dr Greg Adamson

    Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Australia

    • Mr Brian Negus

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor Len Sciacca

    World Road Association PIARC

    • Mr Colin Jordan

  • Alumni have transitioned into an advisory capacity, providing guidance to current and future Ambassadors, and collaborating with the Club Melbourne Manager to improve the program.

    AusBiotech Ltd

    • Professor Jan Tennent

    Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO

    • Dr Dean Morris

    Cartherics

    • Professor Richard Boyd

    City Cancer Challenge

    • Professor Sanchia Aranda AM

    Deakin University

    • Emeritus Professor Danuta Mendelson

    Epworth Healthcare

    • Associate Professor Laurence Harewood

    Epworth Rehabilitation

    • Professor John Olver AM

    International Association of Applied Psychology

    • Professor Lyn Littlefield OAM

    La Trobe University

    • Professor Jenny Graves AC

    • Professor Nick Hoogenraad AO

    Monash Biomedical Imaging

    • Professor Gary Egan

    Monash University

    • Professor Abdelmalek Bouazza

    • Professor Peter Cameron

    • Dr Michael Knowles

    • Professor Paul Martin OAM

    • Associate Professor Geoff Sussman OAM

    • Emeritus Professor Napier Thomson AM

    • Professor John Zalcberg OAM

    Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

    • Professor Katrina Allen

    Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health

    • Professor Helen Herrman AO

    Precedence Health Care

    • Professor Michael Georgeff

    Primary Care Diabetes Society of Australia (PCDSA)

    • Associate Professor Mark Kennedy

    Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

    • Professor David Cantrill

    Science in Public

    • Mr Niall Byrne

    Swinburne University of Technology

    • Professor Linda Kristjanson AO

    The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

    • Professor Graeme Jackson

    The University of Melbourne

    • Professor Hugh Taylor AC

    The University of Newcastle

    • Professor Brian Jolly

    University of Melbourne

    • Professor James Angus AO

    • Emeritus Professor Philip Batterham

    • Professor Robin Batterham AO

    • Professor Graeme Pearman AM

    • Emeritus Professor Frances Separovic AO

    • Professor Peter Taylor

    Western Sydney University

    • Professor Paul James