Welcome to Melbourne

I am delighted to present you with the Melbourne Planner's Guide 2010/2011. The Guide is a fantastic resource to help in planning your next conference or event in Victoria's magnificent capital city of Melbourne.

Melbourne is Australia's events capital, hosting four of the most significant international sporting events in the country: the Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix, the Spring Racing Carnival, the AFL Grand Final and the Australian Open Tennis. In addition, international festivals like the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, regularly add colour to our vibrant city.

As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, Melbourne is also recognised globally as a leading Business Events destination. The city impresses visitors with its diverse offering of outstanding attractions and experiences that, along with Melbourne's state-of-the-art infrastructure, make our city the perfect venue for your next event.

From boutique incentive groups of ten delegates wishing to experience the height of luxury and opulence, to conference groups of more than 10,000 with a variety of delegate types, Melbourne can accommodate any type of Business Event.

The newly completed Melbourne Convention Centre is the world's first 6 Star Green Star environmentally rated convention centre and has won a string of awards including the prestigious IMEX Green Meetings Industry Council Award. The Melbourne Convention Centre is Australia's most flexible and extensive meeting venue, featuring a 5,553 seat plenary hall, 32 meeting rooms, a grand banquet room, and foyer for 8,400 guests. Combined with 30,000m² of exhibition space, this impressive venue can cater for your every requirement.

The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has helped secure Business Events for the city for many years to come, with the largest - the 22nd World Diabetes Congress 2013 - expected to attract 12,000 delegates. Part of Melbourne's success in securing these meetings is its areas of expertise, which include medical research, biotechnology, science, innovation, education and engineering.

Melbourne Airport is located within close proximity of the city, accessible by a range of transport options. A $330 million upgrade of Melbourne Airport's international terminal is currently underway making it even easier for delegates from around the world to journey to our wonderful city.

Within the Melbourne Planner's Guide 2010/11, you will discover more about why Melbourne is such an impressive destination. Endless dining options, nightclubs and rooftop bars; boutique, designer and bargain shopping experiences; parks and gardens; world-class sporting facilities; and diverse cultural precincts are all showcased in the Guide.

I invite you to discover why our city is the ultimate destination for Business Events and I look forward to welcoming you and your delegates to Melbourne.

Tim Holding MP

Minister for Tourism and Major Events