Melbourne's continuing convention boom

Melbourne continues to be Australia's most popular destination for delegates attending Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) events.

During the year 1997/98, Melbourne won 43 conventions, which are expected to attract some 41,000 delegates, who will occupy 153,000 room nights and contribute $40 million to the local economy.

MICE  delegates spending up to four times more than the average tourist on accommodation, shopping and food. The national market is now worth $2 billion annually.   Victoria has quadrupled the number of bookings it has received in the last five years. 

The Melbourne Convention and Marketing Bureau (MCMB) has estimated that more than 1.1 million room nights a year will be occupied by MICE participants between 2000 and 2006.

Major upcoming conventions in Melbourne include the International Ski Congress, World Congress for Mental Health, Network of Fitness Professionals and the International Congress on Genetics in 2003, expected to attract 5,000 delegates.

(News Release, Minister for Small Business and Tourism, November 18, 1998)