Melbourne has secured a prestigious UN Meeting, marking the first time the event has ever been held in Australia.

More than 1,200 delegates will be welcomed to Melbourne in September 2010 to attend the United Nations (UN) 63rd Annual Department of Public Information Non-Governmental Organisation Conference (DPI/NGO).

The Business Event win was announced today by Sandra Chipchase, CEO of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau, which secured the event for Melbourne.

“This is a definite coup for Melbourne, being only the third city outside the UN’s New York headquarters to host the event in more than 60 years.”

Chipchase said that in addition to the direct benefits of the event, the size and reputation of the conference would have the added-value of creating future bidding opportunities within the NGO and health fields.

“Cementing Melbourne’s worldwide reputation for medicine and science, the conference will focus on ‘Global Health’, and will feature eminent speakers, possibly including the Secretary General of the United Nations.

“The UN DPI/NGO Conference will provide the opportunity for the global NGO community to share knowledge and experience about how to best promote and contribute to the advancement of global health.”

Chipchase said that the three day UN DPI/NGO Conference is estimated to inject $3.8m into the Victorian State economy.
“In addition to providing an important boost for the local economy, we also know from the Melbourne Convention Delegate Study that international conventions create new tourists and significant new export dollars and visitation for Melbourne and Victoria.

“The Delegate Study showed that conventions are also a catalyst for regional travel, with almost half of all delegates attending conventions in Melbourne also undertaking pre- and post-event touring throughout the State.

“Representatives from more than 90 countries are expected to attend this conference, in turn providing valuable worldwide exposure for Melbourne.”