Kicking off from Monday 17 February, Melbourne will host Business Events Week with a program of over 60 activities where the value of business events will be showcased.
From generating wealth and export opportunities, through to driving tourism, creating lasting legacies for business, the community and job creation, business events are an important part of the economy. The value of the business events industry to the nation’s economy will rise to AU $31 billion by 2020.
The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) event is free to attend, and businesses and stakeholders alike can attend a range of workshops covering topics from medicine to technology and innovation.
Karen Bolinger, CEO of MCB, said that the goal of Business Events Week was to put the spotlight on the industry and educate the wider community about its significance.
“The inaugural Business Events Week in 2013 laid the foundations for this message, which we plan to build on through a number of new initiatives in 2014, including the appointment of Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, as the official Ambassador,” Bolinger said.
Other events taking place throughout the week include Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) Open Space.
On Thursday, 20 February, MCEC will host talks around the event’s theme of innovation. Notable speakers include Dr Ken Cato AO, renowned designer and founder of agIdeas International Design Week; Dr Cathy Foley, leading scientist and Chief of CSIRO‘s Materials Science and Engineering Division; and Todd Sampson, Chief Executive Officer of advertising agency Leo Burnett and panellist on ABC’s The Gruen Transfer.
The full Business Events Week calendar is available here.
