Newcastle has been confirmed as the host city for the 2016 Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) Global Health Conference (GHC).

The conference, to be held over four days in late August or early September, is expected to attract around 600 medical students and speakers.

The Newcastle Convention Bureau – a member of the greater Hunter region’s Altogether Perfect campaign which markets the area as a business events destination – is predicting that the conference will inject $991,000 into the local economy.

The event will be held at University of Newcastle’s $95 million ‘NeW Space’ venue that is set to open in the latter half of 2016, just in time for the conference, as well as the Conservatorium and City Hall. Social events, as well as pre and post touring packages, will be offered in the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens.

AMSA’s 2014 Global Health Conference was held in Sydney and Perth will host this year’s event.

Business Events and Conventions Developer for the Newcastle Convention Bureau (NCB) and Altogether Perfect spokesperson Georgia Lazzari said, “The Newcastle Convention Bureau works hard to secure major conferences for the city and AMSA’s 2016 GHC is our latest win, ensuring the city and wider region can benefit from the huge economic boost these major events generate.

“This conference win also strengthens the work of our umbrella Altogether Perfect campaign which as launched earlier this year to attract more business events to Newcastle, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley,” said Lazzari.