Following the recent success of its Global Forum 2022 in Vancouver, Canada, BestCities Global Alliance has announced its next annual event will take place January 18-21, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
BestCities is an international network of leading convention destinations around the world and its flagship event is attended by its member industry thought-leaders, international associations, and destinations. In 2022, for the first time ever, registration was extended to meeting planners from any discipline who arrange large international events that rotate around the world.
Melbourne Convention Bureau chief executive officer Julia Swanson said the Alliance is an amazing network of leading cities that are at the forefront of business events.
“We deeply value the relationships and collaboration amongst our partner cities around the world and are excited to be hosting the next Global Forum here in Australia’s events capital Melbourne,” Swanson said.
“It’s an exciting time for these global perspectives to come together and chart a way forward for our sector.”
BestCities’ Global Forum Melbourne will explore how in-person meetings are critical to cultivating meaningful connections and purpose for meeting planners, associations and delegates, and will feature thought-provoking workshops, presentations and hands-on experiences throughout Melbourne that demonstrate the importance of in-person learning and collaboration.
Although the event normally takes place in December, next year’s event will be held in January to coincide with the Australian Open tennis tournament, allowing delegates the opportunity to extend their stay in the city to attend the matches, with BestCities and MCB leveraging the city’s major events calendar to enhance the conference offerings.
“With its warm and welcoming community, Melbourne offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and access to powerful knowledge sharing that has contributed to breakthrough legacies for international associations,” BestCities managing director Lesley William said.
“We are also thrilled to coincide the Global Forum with a world-class event like the Australian Open, which creates incredible opportunities for team building and developing deeper connections with peers.”
Melbourne is renowned for cross-industry collaboration supported by a sustainable event supply chain, quality accommodations, and memorable pre- and post-conference experiences, and offers business events the highest concentration of conference facilities in Australia, including the Melbourne Convention and Exhibitions Centre which is one of the largest event spaces in the southern hemisphere.
Further details on BestCities’ Global Forum Melbourne 2024 program will be announced over the coming months.
