Imagine engaging in coffee culture and diverse food scenes, interacting with Aboriginal arts and heritage, interacting with industry experts at Australia’s largest convention centers, and toasting your colleagues at your local vineyards or wineries. Everything is possible when Melbourne, the coastal capital of Victoria, is the foundation of your meetings, events and incentives.
“Melbourne is a vibrant and vibrant city, event venues, accommodation, dining options and more,” said Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB). It is perfectly positioned for “Bleisure” travelers (those interested in mixing business and leisure) and expanded their accommodation. “In addition to becoming a cultural and intellectual capital in Australia, Melbourne has an exciting range of experiences enjoyed by participants in the city centre for an hour and a half.”
Melbourne does offer something for everyone. The city’s increased inclusion and sustainability efforts, including indigenous partnerships, upcoming gender equality conferences and expert guides to plan eco-friendly events, ensures that Melbourne is also welcomed by Melbourne. arrive Everyone.
Convenient meeting
Take a list of requirements for your ideal meeting destination and you may find Melbourne ticks all boxes.
The city is home to Australia’s highest concentrated conference facility, including the 70,000 square metre Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) of the country’s largest conference and exhibition centre. Melbourne is also Australia’s largest hotel market with over 5,000 hotels (total 26,500 hotel rooms and quantity) to choose from. Meanwhile, the city’s compact layout, pedestrian-friendly center and reliable public transportation, including the world’s largest tram network, can easily drive the city by average attendees.
The conference held in Melbourne also creates opportunities to connect through local culture, food, sports, arts, entertainment and outdoor activities as well as in and around the city.
“MCB works with a range of partners who can provide a unique, engaging experience for corporate travelers and motivational groups that guarantees to bring the team together,” Swanson said. “Private travel companies offer urban adventures, exclusive masterclasses and regional tours locally, allowing visitors to explore Melbourne’s famous street art, its vibrant coffee and dining scenes, and the city’s hidden treasures. Show me corporate tours in Melbourne that can be offered to travel within the scope of the city and sports tours, for example, the experience of Mrs. Melbe of Melbe.
In the city, learn Melbourne’s coffee lingo while you’re doing a “magic” network on your beloved Axel Coffee Roaster. Stretch your legs and check out some street art on the guided city trail. Deepening team bonds in local cooking classes. Or establish a conference in Melbourne, such as the Australian Open, the F1 Grand Prix or the Melbourne Cup.
You don’t have to travel to find other activities to enhance the attendee’s experience. You can drink local wines in Healesville Sanctuary, Yarra Valley, soar soar soar soar soar on scenic helicopter flights, enjoy the beach in the Mornington Peninsula hot springs, and enjoy about an hour in the Mornington Peninsula hot springs.
Sustainable Melbourne
A sustainable event is better for everyone (attendants, environment and host destinations), and Melbourne is no stranger to developing sustainability strategies.
Here you will find a variety of initiatives that encourage environmentally friendly living, including a walkable downtown, numerous green spaces, a ban on single-use plastics, a solar-powered tram, and a statewide focus on renewable energy, dedicated to 2045 and to become neutral in 2045.
Facilities are no exception. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is a leader in hosting sustainable events, has been certified by Earthcheck since 2009 and maintained its platinum status and has maintained its platinum status since 2023. This is also the first conference center in the world to receive a 6-star green star environmental rating.
If this is your first attempt at planning a sustainable meeting in Melbourne, the Melbourne Board of Conferences will be back. MCB prioritizes relationships with environmentally friendly suppliers and provides event planners with tailored techniques to support their sustainability goals.
“MCB has developed a comprehensive sustainability planning toolkit to help event planners create business activities with positive social, environmental and economic impacts,” Swanson said. “This includes planning and measurement tools to track impacts, guidelines for carbon-neutral events, and an easy-to-use list of sustainable events.”
MCB can also help planners merge small details that have a significant impact, such as recyclable bottles made from sustainable cardboard and lanyards made of furniture, arrange for food donations left over from the event, and replace printed materials with digital kiosks and signage.
The first nation first
Melbourne is a modern multicultural conference destination with a rich heritage. It is important to understand the history here and recognize the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin people, the traditional owner of the land where the city is now located. Opening with a welcome country is a good start, but there are several ways to show respect and interact with Australia’s First Nations.
To help ensure that the event has a positive impact on the social outcomes of Victoria’s First Nation and future generations, the MCB team provides expert guidance to Melbourne event planners. “MCB is proud of the Aboriginal heritage in Melbourne and Australia and we assist event planners in integrating this rich cultural tradition into their business activities,” Swanson said. “Our guide to first-nation engagement provides guidance for working with Aboriginal suppliers and integrating cultural elements. In addition, MCB works with organizations that provide Aboriginal-centric experiences, such as the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanical Gardens.”
Next level leadership
The event is held in Melbourne, a cultural and intellectual capital with a rich research facility that can be face to face with industry experts. Combining it with the inclusive environment of the city, you have an ideal place to gather creators and innovators.
“Melbourne is a global leader in healthcare and medical research and we are the first choice for experts in these fields that hold major international conferences,” Swanson said. “MCB is very focused on attracting business events that leave a lasting legacy in our city and in the wider industries and communities involved in these events.”
The International Conference on Inclusion in Melbourne provides opportunities to connect with global industry leaders and participate in community donation opportunities while supporting diversity and inclusion efforts, from prioritizing access to facilities such as MCEC’s newly opened, and changing venue facilities and First National Partners to empowering female leaders in the male-defeated industry.
“In 2026, Melbourne will host a Women’s Delivery Conference, a powerful gathering held by 6,500 participants in more than 170 countries to discuss gender equality,” Swanson said. “The MCB held an event for Melbourne on behalf of the Oceania Pacific region, highlighting our city’s commitment to promoting the rights of women and girls.”
Melbourne and Victoria also have a long history of welcoming LGBTIQA+ travelers. The Victorian Pride Center is a 10-minute drive from the Milbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and events such as the Midsumma Festival and the Melbourne Queer Film Festival offer opportunities to celebrate the LGBTIQA+ art, culture and community.
Melbourne’s focus on inclusion is a win-win for attendees and destinations, with the MCB team always present. “MCB is committed to ensuring that the business event industry is a passionate and inclusive space for people from all walks of life,” Swanson said. MCB promotes partners and suppliers who embrace these values by providing resources and guidance on accessibility and links event organizers with leaders from different fields, thus considering event planners considering inclusion into the event.
She continued: “Melbourne’s multicultural and inclusive environment makes it an ideal city for international conferences, and its commitment to diversity, security and access makes it the first choice for event planners who want to prioritize intersectionality and celebrate cultural differences.”
Learn more about bringing your next meeting or event to Melbourne.
This content is from Melbourne Conference Board and Skift’s branded content studio Skiftx.
