Melbourne city welcomed more than 14,000 Rotary members and participants from over 120 countries and regions around the world to share ideas and inspiration at the 2023 Rotary International Convention. The event took place from May 27th to June 1st across two of Melbourne’s iconic venues - Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne and Olympic Parks and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

 
"We're thrilled to have hosted this year's Rotary International Convention in Melbourne," said Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Julia Swanson. "The convention was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our city's strengths as a global destination for hosting large-scale conventions – the first of this scale since pre-covid. The city had been preparing for this event for many years, and we were confident that our world-class facilities, exceptional events supply chain, and city-wide collaboration would deliver an unforgettable experience for all attendees."

Considered one of the most valuable business events secured for Victoria in the past 10 years, the convention drove high occupancy levels for up to 67 properties across Melbourne including Accor, Crown Melbourne and Pan Pacific Melbourne during the off-peak season.

The bid led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau with support from the Victorian State Government and Tourism Australia, has seen this hero event return to Melbourne for the second time, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1993 convention.

Throughout the five-day conference Rotary members have had a packed program of events, including keynote speeches, workshops, and networking opportunities, all set against the backdrop of Melbourne's world-renowned hospitality and cultural offerings. Hundreds of ancillary events have taken place engaging many of Melbourne’s leading venues including the Plaza Ballroom, MCG, Eureka 89 and Flemington Racecourse to name a few.
 
Pre-and-post touring options were popular amongst those attending the convention. Options ranged from Yarra River cruises to a visit to the Melbourne Zoo, exploring the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a three-hour walking tour through Melbourne’s arcades and lanes, a hot air balloon flight, a Melbourne Foodies Tour, and a tour to the Queen Victoria Market.

Accessible through short drives from Melbourne city, delegates could rejuvenate at the Peninsula Hot Springs Bath House in the Mornington Peninsula, experience Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade, travel along the Great Ocean Road, or sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley.

Many tours unique to Melbourne are a sample of what those seeking to reward and motivate teams can expect when Incentive Groups visit Melbourne.

2023 has seen several Indian incentive groups make their way to Melbourne across industries like automobile, engineering, media, insurance, finance, banking, medicine, textile, paints and cement, and ranging group sizes from 30 to 1000 guests. Melbourne Convention Bureau has played a key role in advising and providing seamless planning expertise to create unforgettable incentive programs for these groups.

MCB offers support through program and itinerary planning, recommendations for accommodation, unique venues, special tours, and team building activities, sourcing of suppliers and contractors, and referral to inbound tour operators, destination management companies and professional conference organisers. Depending on the size of your group, MCB can also organise coordination of site inspection/visit to Melbourne, promotional and marketing support, souvenirs etc.

Connect with MCB today to discover support in Melbourne!