Why Melbourne Is the Best Event Destination - The Perfect Location in Australia and the World
By Deni Kirkova|
There are many factors to consider when choosing a destination with global gravitas for your event. How central is the location and how good is the transport? Is there rich culture and good food around? Are there stunning views and nature nearby – will this location wow your delegates? Most importantly: is this a hub for knowledge, creativity, and innovation in your industry?
We have the answers you want to hear: Melbourne has it all. Recognised worldwide, the city was named Oceania's Leading Business Events Destination at the World Travel Awards in 2020. It’s no surprise to us.
And as the largest convention and exhibition venue in Australia in the heart of the city and the pinnacle of its conference facilities, you can trust Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) to deliver an event to remember.
From large exhibitions to gala dinners, meetings, and multi-day conferences, here’s why there’s no better place to host your event.
A Global Hub for Knowledge and Innovation
Melbourne continually wins the host rights for international events across multiple sectors, from the creative industries and performance arts to MedTech, digital technologies, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing.
With 7,900 technology and 13 medical research institutes, 10 teaching hospitals, and 10 universities, Melbourne is Australia’s knowledge capital and innovation hub. It is where industry experts spearhead advancement in research and development while nurturing new changemakers at events that leave long-lasting legacies.
Home to global health and medical to science and engineering, education, business, and technology conferences, the brightest minds gather here to think differently and develop new solutions.
When you host your conference in Melbourne, you can tap into the strengths of world-leading industry sectors, fostering connections, trade partnerships, investment, and collaboration opportunities with academia, research, government, and business.
Leading Transport and Accommodation
With unmatched accessibility, Melbourne is the obvious choice for any international event. Delegates will enjoy a seamless and pleasant experience on arrival at Melbourne Airport, voted Best Airport in Australia/Pacific in the 2020 and 2021 Skytrax Airport Awards (world's largest aviation customer service poll).
From five-star luxury to affordable options, comfortable and fully equipped hotels are in plentiful supply in Melbourne and the immediate surroundings. With 10,000 rooms just a 15-minute walk from MCEC, there is accommodation to suit all needs. For supreme convenience, there are two hotels onsite: Pan Pacific Melbourne and Novotel Melbourne South Wharf. Meanwhile, two new launches – The AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank and Oakwood Premier Melbourne – are just around the corner.
Melbourne's famous modern tram network system is the largest operational urban tram network globally. It offers free public transport in the CBD so delegates can get to and from your conference in style and with supreme convenience.
In any case, attendees can feel assured in Melbourne. The city is recognised as top 10 in the safest cities in the world, according to the Economist Safe Cities Index, ranking high for digital, personal, infrastructure, and health security.
The Garden City
With plenty of parks and greenery, Melbourne is vibrant and alive with nature making it a picturesque and pleasant setting for any event.
Otherwise known as Australia's garden city, it boasts a variety of plant species amid landscaped vistas, pedestrian pathways, and tree-lined avenues.
Meanwhile, the state of Victoria is known as Australia’s garden state, home to 30% of Australia's native animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and platypus.
Melbourne is the Cultural Capital of Australia
Melbourne's community has origins in 200 counties plus 260 languages and dialects. This cultural diversity contributes to rich restaurant, shopping, business, and entertainment experiences – including those along the charming South Wharf precinct. It’s just one reason why the city has topped the list of most liveable cities in the world year on year.
A foodie haven with world-class tours, tasting experiences, and myriad renowned cocktail bars, Melbourne is known to have the best coffee culture in the world. This is a testament to the talented, creative, and highly technical roasters and baristas that call it home.
Meanwhile, the city’s buzzing arts and entertainment scenes offer acclaimed theatre, music, comedy, and cinema every night of the week. Laneways radiate expression through stunning graffiti murals. And with one of the highest densities of commercial art galleries in the world, the most talked-about exhibitions are on show right here.
The home of Australian rules football and F1 Grand Prix with an impressive sporting precinct, Melbourne is also a global sports capital.
It Has Always Been a Place to Exchange Ideas
Melbourne’s cultural significance is deeply rooted in its rich indigenous tapestry dating back tens of thousands of years.
Built on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River), we at MCEC acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Narrm, the Boon Wurrung and 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 us.
We recognise the significance of the Birrarung to Traditional Owners as a life source and a meeting place and seek to honour a 40,000-year tradition of building community and exchanging ideas on these lands.
Today, Melbourne continues to attract great thinkers to collaborate, innovate, and inspire to deliver success. We celebrate the city’s roots and traditions alongside its evolving community and character.
Support from the Melbourne Convention Bureau
Melbourne’s rich offering makes it the quintessential place to gather the world’s bright minds and pioneering creatives, academics, scientists, and professionals to exchange ideas, inspire, and create change.
When you decide to bring a business event to Melbourne, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) will support you to bring it to life. Your dedicated team offers a suite of tailored services before, during and after your conference to ensure smooth planning and maximum attendance.
Whether it is securing financial support, coordinating site inspections, or sourcing supplier information, MCB is available to connect you with the right people, places, and products.
Love Melbourne just as much as we do? Reach out to the team and plan your next international event with us.