Melbourne will be firming its position as a world leader in the Intelligent Transport Systems sector by welcoming the 23rd Intelligent Transport System World Congress (ITS 2016) later this month.
Taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from October 10-14, the event is expected to attract over 7,000 attendees and generate A$25 million (approx US$19m) for the state.
“The congress is the ideal platform to showcase our local talent and attract global expertise to the state,” says Karen Bolinger, chief executive officer for Melbourne Convention Bureau.
“ITS 2016 will bring together private corporations, public agencies and academic institutions involved in the research, design and implementation of ITS technologies across all modes of transport.”
The event will feature plenary, scientific, technical and interactive sessions, technical demonstrations and tours showcasing the applications of the latest ITS technology.
Victoria’s victory
As headline sponsor, the Victorian State Government will host a Victorian pavilion within the exhibition.
“Hosting the ITS 2016 is a great opportunity for us to showcase the very best that Victoria has to offer visitors from across the globe,” says Philip Dalidakis, acting minister for tourism and major events.
“These events provide valuable opportunities for hotels, restaurants, shops and other small businesses across the state – boosting trade and the demand for jobs.
“It’s also Victoria’s chance to remind industry experts from global markets why we are a leader in innovation and the ITS sector,” he adds.
Venue matters
According to MCEC chief executive Peter King, the venue’s award-winning infrastructure and delivery capabilities influenced the decision to host there.
"One of the key factors that attracted this event to Melbourne is the proximity of the venue to the city centre and its myriad of visitor experiences.
"The welcome reception alone is spread across 19,500 sqm of space, but the event won’t just stop at our doors – it will be infiltrating the entire city of Melbourne and our transport networks," he adds.
In terms of preparations, King says the centre’s employees are set to work 600 shifts to deliver the entirely customised event.
"The technology requirements for this event in particular are immense. Delegates will have access to our dedicated platinum wifi service, while 80GB per hour of recorded video content is expected to be internally transferred each day across the course of the event."
Perks for the public
On October 13 and 14, members of the public will enjoy free entry to the exhibition.
The public programme incorporates Melbourne Conversations, a series of free informative community sessions.
