Melbourne is top conference destination

Melbourne ranked best in Australia for conferences

Melbourne has been named as the number one city in Australia for conferences and congresses.

The Country and City Ranking Report 2011 produced by The International Congress and Convention Association placed the southern Australian city ninth in the Asia-Pacific region and 31st in the world.

During the qualifying period for the rankings, Melbourne hosted 62 major international meetings.

Minister for tourism and major events Louise Asher was delighted with the acknowledgment.

“To be recognised officially by the top congress and convention association in the world is a major coup for the city and one that we are incredibly proud of,” she said.

Karen Bolinger, chief executive officer of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, praised the city’s “intellectual capital” and “world-class infrastructure”.

The city, which is the capital of the state of Victoria and is the second most populous in Australia, will host seven of the world’s largest medical and scientific conferences in the next two years.

Written by Ruth Norris

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