COLLABORATION and innovation are credited for Melbourne securing two of the world’s leading technology conferences expected to attract 1,200 global blockchain experts and technology players to the city over the next two years.
In an Australian first, Melbourne will host the largest blockchain series in the world – The World Block Chain Summit (WBS) 2022 and the Association for Computing Machinery’s annual international conference on multimedia – The ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACM MM 2024) in 2024.
Combined these events are expected to deliver A$5.2 million in economic contribution to the Victorian economy and almost 2,850 room nights that will boost the Victorian hotel and accommodation sector.
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Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) chief executive Julia Swanson said: “Our city’s growing reputation is credited to its healthy startup ecosystem and vibrant creative industries which attract high profile events.
“These business events will play a key role in showcasing local talent and spark collaborations between international networks and industries to drive economic growth right across our Victoria.”
The WBS takes place in over 16 destinations across the world and brings together an elite gathering of technology leaders, start-ups and enterprises from over 52 countries to share, educate and discuss the latest trends in emerging technologies
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Both events will be hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with The World Block Chain Summit from September 15-16, 2022, and ACM MM 2024 from October 28 to November 1, 2024.
Through a partnership with Victorian State Government, Business Events Australia, Trescon, a global business events and consulting firm, Monash University, as well as expert local Organising committees from across Australia and Asia Pacific, MCB steered the proposal to secure the events for Melbourne.
Mithun Shetty, CEO of Trescon, said: “Key government bodies across the globe have utilised Trescon and WBS as a launchpad in their roadmaps for emerging technologies. With the help of MCB and the Victorian State Government, the Australian edition will be executed with a strong focus to attract investments to Victoria.”
Also commenting on the wins, Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said: “We are thrilled that Melbourne has been chosen as the host destination for the ACM International Conference on Multimedia in 2024, and pleased that Tourism Australia has been able to support this outcome through its Bid Fund Program.
“Australia has a world-class business events offering and attracting large-scale international events has a significant role to play in not only both generating global attention for Australia’s capabilities but also in supporting the recovery of our tourism industry more broadly in the immediate years to come.”
ACM SIGMM Chair Prof Alberto Del Bimbo added, “The ACM SIGMM Steering and Executive Committees are absolutely thrilled to select Melbourne as the host city for 2024. The strong support of MCB, the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia along with the expertise that Victoria and Australia have in digital technologies and multimedia will ensure the event is a great success for our global community.”
