AUSTRALASIA – The Adelaide Convention Bureau (ACB) and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) have formed a partnership that they claim is delivering results well before the AUS$200m (US$192m) health and medical research institute officially opens its doors later this year. The ACB says confirmed business in the next three years that has a link to one of SAHMRI’s medical areas will generate $62m in economic benefit to South Australia. In addition, a further $91m worth of business is in the development pipeline.
The ACB has just announced it has won its bid, in conjunction with SA Cancer Service’s Professor Dorothy Keefe and the Convention Centre, to host the 2016 International Symposium on Supportive Care in Cancer. The four-day event is expected to attract 1,500 supportive care researchers and practitioners, along with patients and advocates with the aim of creating networks and connections between the international and local cancer health and research community. The event is worth $5.7m to South Australia.
The ACB says it has long focused on medicine and science as two attractive industries to seek out and pitch Adelaide as a host city for both national and international conferences.
“We recently formed a ‘science alliance’ with three other destinations – Hyderabad in India, Daejeon in South Korea and Toulouse in France,” said CEO of the Adelaide Convention Bureau, Damien Kitto.
“This alliance, while in its early stages, will see the four cities working together to assist each other with bid submissions and lead opportunities with respect to international science-based conferences.
“SAHMRI adds an entirely new level to the benefits of hosting health and medical science events in Adelaide. The advantages to our local researchers by hosting the event, where the focus of the world within their particular scientific genre is set firmly on Adelaide, is invaluable,” he said.
Professor Steve Wesselingh, SAHMRI’s Executive Director, has accepted an ambassadorial role within the ACB’s Conventions Adelaide programme, to work together with the Bureau to identify opportunities and prepare submissions with the aim of hosting future conferences in Adelaide.
“It is incredibly important to the future of this state’s research and science capabilities that we continue to host and attract national and international conferences to Adelaide,” he said.
“The spotlight is on our people, our facilities, our collaborations and the work we are doing here in South Australia is priceless. This is the legacy we want to leave for generations to come.”
In consultation with SAHMRI, the ACB and Adelaide Convention Centre has worked to identify and bid for major conferences linked to SAHMRI’s seven research themes, including: Aboriginal health, cancer, nutrition and metabolism, infection and immunity, healthy mothers, babies and children, heart health, mind and brain.
“The collaboration between SAHMRI and the Convention Bureau is vital for this state on so many levels,” said Kitto.
“Our return on investment to industry is one of the highest in Australia at 50:1. The additional opportunities that will be available to us in the future are fantastic. The Riverbank Precinct with SAHMRI, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and the redeveloped Adelaide Convention Centre, will showcase South Australia’s finest talent and our international visitors will have the opportunity to tour our exciting new facilities.”
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