AUSTRALASIA – The Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has won its bid for the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in October 2016.
In a statement the Victorian state Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher and Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder said the congress is expected to attract 5,000 delegates to the city and generate AU$23.5m (US$23.6m) for the Victorian state. The conference and trade exhibition is set to be held over five days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Asher said it was a big win for Victoria and once again proves the state’s credentials in hosting congresses and conferences: “Hosting the congress here in Melbourne would provide an opportunity to showcase the latest technical developments to a global audience, with delegates including private corporations, public agencies and academic institutions involved in the research, design and implementation of new technologies across all modes of transport.”
ITS technologies include communication, data processing and electronic technologies for in-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure and mode-to-mode systems that increase transport safety and mobility, improve the sustainability of travel, reduce congestion, and improve the performance and competitiveness of all modes of transport.
ICT in Victoria generates around $29bn in revenue and $2.45bn in exports annually.
Chief Executive Officer of the MCVB, Karen Bolinger, said the awarding of the congress to Melbourne is a major achievement for the Victorian business events industry. “We are confident this win will now give us the opportunity to bid for other major international conferences related to this field,” she added.
Local host organisation, ITS Australia, is the country’s only organisation focused on facilitating the development and deployment of advanced technologies across all modes of transport: air, sea, road and rail.
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Melbourne CVB wins $23.5m ITS Congress for 2016
