New Melbourne study shows broad impact of association events

AUSTRALASIA – New figures have revealed the impact of international association conferences beyond the tourism and hospitality sectors. Research from the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) shows that international association conferences are delivering an economic boost to the area across a broad range of businesses. The Melbourne Conference Expenditure Study 2015, reveals that each international association conference delivers an average A$4.9, (US$3.56) to the Victorian economy. This is in addition to international conference delegate expenditure of more than A$5,500 per person per trip. The average economic contribution per international association conference last financial year was A$6.4 million. MCB chief executive officer Karen Bolinger said: “This is ‘new money’ that would not have come into Victoria had these conferences not been hosted here and is spent on businesses that supply a diverse range of services including venue hire, catering, printing, exhibition set up, audio visual, training, marketing, financial, legal and accounting. “Last financial year, Melbourne hosted 33 international association conferences, secured by MCB, contributing A$212.7 million to Victoria’s economy and supporting more than 2,550 jobs.”