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Thought leaders awarded for bringing international conferences to Melbourne
from The PCO - June 2023
by IAPCO
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The annual Club Melbourne Ambassador Program Awards recognise those who have helped to promote Melbourne on the world stage by securing future international business events.
The annual Club Melbourne Ambassador Program Awards were recently held to recognise individuals who have contributed to promoting Melbourne on the global stage by securing international business events.
This year, eight ambassadors were awarded for their successful efforts in bringing conferences to Melbourne, which are expected to attract a combined total of over 16,400 visitors and generate an economic impact of more than $23 million over the next five years.
The recipients of the awards include Associate Professor Neil Hewson, Professor John Bertram, Professor John McNeil AO, Professor James Whisstock, Professor Tony Costello AM, Associate Professor Geoff Sussman OAM, Professor Grant McArthur, and Professor Hans Westerbeek. The first seven were recognised for their support in securing bids to host prominent medical conferences at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Professor Hans Westerbeek received the prestigious Club Melbourne Award for Excellence for his contributions in driving e-sports events across Victoria.
The awards ceremony took place at Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, a renowned restaurant operated by Chef Alejandro Saravia, who joined the Club Melbourne Ambassador Program earlier this year. The event featured a menu highlighting Victorian food and wine and was designed in collaboration with leading First Nations suppliers, including Alchemy Orange, Mabu Mabu, and Djirri Djirri Cultural Services.
Club Melbourne Ambassadors have worked with Victoria's lead agency for acquiring and delivering business events, Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) to secure six events for the state this year. Since the program was established in 2005, Club Melbourne Ambassadors, together with MCB, have been central to attracting more than 160 events to Melbourne. These events have brought tens of thousands of visitors to the city with a combined benefit of more than $1 billion to Victoria’s economy.
The Club Melbourne program includes over 80 Ambassadors who are business and community leaders in a range of disciplines including science, medicine, agriculture and technology.
Club Melbourne is owned and led by MCEC with support and collaboration from MCB and the Victorian State Government.
MCEC Chief Executive Natalie O'Brien AM, expressed the importance of the Club Melbourne Awards in celebrating and appreciating the ongoing efforts of ambassadors in bringing world-leading events to Melbourne.
“The program has attracted thousands of thought leaders from around the world, creating a lasting legacy for the community and reinforcing Melbourne's reputation for research, business excellence, and extraordinary events.
MCB Chief Executive Julia Swanson, commended the ambassadors for their integral role in winning business events for Melbourne.
“Through MCB’s role in identifying and managing the international bid process, we are proud of the many Ambassadors we’ve worked with, who are integral to winning business events for Melbourne.”
“Our Team Melbourne approach is a genuine, collaborative effort between MCB, MCEC, State and Local Governments, strengthened by the intellectual capacity of our worldrenowned Ambassadors.
"Our strong partnership showcases exactly why Melbourne is a leading global destination for business events.
“Thank you to all the Ambassadors for their significant contribution and dedication to securing business events for Melbourne.”
The Award winners are:
• Associate Professor Neil Hewson – 2027 General Session of the International Association for Dental Research
• Professor John Bertram – 2026 Congress of International Federation of Associations of Anatomists
• Professor John McNeil AO – 2024 World Health Summit
Regional Meeting
• Professor James Whisstock – 2024 World Health Summit
Regional Meeting
• Professor Tony Costello AM – 2023 Society of Robotic Surgery Annual Meeting
• Associate Professor Geoff Sussman OAM – 2023 Asia Pacific Diabetic Limb Problems Meeting
• Professor Grant McArthur – 2023 VCCC Alliance Conference, 2024 World Indigenous Cancer Conference
• Professor Hans Westerbeek - Club Melbourne Award for Excellence for his work in driving new event opportunities in the e-sports sector
