The leaders’ advocacy work has secured Melbourne as the destination for 12 international conferences – doubling the number of successful bids achieved in 2023 – which are attracting 10,000 visitors to the city.
These conferences are delivering more than $62.5 million in economic impact for Victoria, nearly tripling the economic impact from 2023.
“Victoria continues to grow its reputation for holding world-class business events,” says Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.
“These events not only showcase our state to the world, but help boost our visitor economy through spending across accommodation, hospitality and broader tourism offerings.
“Congratulations to all of the winners for their continuing efforts to bring significant international events to Melbourne.”
The Club Melbourne Ambassador Program Awards were hosted at THE LUME Melbourne. Club Melbourne is owned and led by Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with support and collaboration from Melbourne Convention Bureau and the Victorian Government.
The program has more than 80 ambassadors in medical, science, engineering, agriculture business and community and infrastructure technologies, who advance Melbourne’s reputation as a global hub for academic and business excellence and leadership.
“Our Club Melbourne Ambassadors are some of the best and brightest minds in our city,” says Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) chief executive Natalie O’Brien AM.
“The annual awards night celebrates their ongoing advocacy efforts and commitments to building Melbourne’s reputation for research, business and exceptional events.
“We’re so proud this year to celebrate almost triple the economic impact from the high-profile events secured for MCEC.
“Congratulations to all award recipients.”
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) chief executive Julia Swanson says her organisation worked closely with Club Melbourne Ambassadors to bring business events to Victoria.
“MCB would like to congratulate the annual Club Melbourne Ambassador Program Award recipients who have gone above and beyond to help secure and deliver impactful conferences for Melbourne,” she says.
“As Victoria’s lead agency in acquiring and delivering business events, MCB has worked closely with Club Melbourne Ambassadors to secure prestigious business events for Melbourne.
“Together, we make a formidable team, providing a unique opportunity to connect prominent thinkers and leaders in the promotion of Melbourne as one of the world’s premier conference and event destinations.”
The Club Melbourne Ambassador Program Awards winners:
- Professor Frank Dunshae, World Congress on Animal Production 2024.
- Professor Alistair Moffat, Annual International ACM SIGIR Conference on Research and Development in Information Retrieval 2026.
- Todd Harper AM, World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025.
- Dr Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed-Ghouse, International Symposium on Digital Earth Summit and Locate 2026.
- Dr Arvind Sinha, Asian Australian Rotorcraft Forum 2024.
Bid assist winners:
- Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025.
- Professor Ron Wakefield, World Sustainable Built Conference 2026.
- Professor Grant McArthur, VCCC Alliance Conference 2023.
- Professor Jonathan Shaw, International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region 2026.
- Associate Professor Anna Boltong, MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting 2026.
- Emeritus Professor Milton Hearn, 2nd Australian Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering 2024.
Club Melbourne Award for Excellence:
- Professor Geoffrey Metz AO for his work in securing four successful bids since 2005 with a combined economic impact of $64.3 million.
