More than 200 guests gathered at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) for an exclusive dinner to mark the fifth anniversary of the Club Melbourne Ambassadors Program (CMAP) last week.

Starting with just 20 members in 2005, CMAP is an initiative of the MCEC, the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau and the Victorian Government.
Members of CMAP are influential Melburnians who are leaders in their respective science, medical, research and business fields and who use their influence and industry knowledge to bring world class business events to Melbourne.

Guests gathered at the MCEC to celebrate the 5 year milestone of the Club Melbourne Ambassadors Program

The future event bookings figures speak volumes for the program’s success. Over the past five years the ambassadors have successfully won 33 major international conventions for Melbourne, which will bring over 50,000 delegates to the city injecting millions of dollars into Victoria’s economy.
The fifth anniversary dinner was also an opportunity to recognise 20 new ambassadors inducted into the program, bringing the total membership to 119.

Special guests for the evening were Professor David de Kretser, the Governor of Victoria and CMAP’s Patron in Chief, Mrs Jan de Kretser and Tim Holding, Minister for Tourism and Major Events.

Special guests included (left to right) MCEC chief executive Leigh Harry, Professor David de Krester and Minister Tim Holding

The Minister in his speech praised the ambassadors for their efforts in securing international events for Melbourne:
“The Club Melbourne Ambassadors send an extremely powerful message about our city’s dedication to the business events industry.

“Through their outstanding efforts, industry knowledge and contacts, they ensure Melbourne continues to be recognised and chosen as Australia’s business events capital.”

“The global business events market is highly competitive; but the support from our ambassadors, combined with our award-winning convention centre facilities, puts Melbourne at the forefront of the business events industry both nationally and internationally,” said MCEC chief executive Leigh Harry, congratulating the ambassadors.