Asher/Davis: Major public health Congress for Melbourne in 2017

· 15th World Congress on Public Health to be staged in Melbourne
· Injecting over $11 million into the state’s economy
· Victorian Coalition Government bringing world class events to
Melbourne

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher and Minister for Health and Ageing, David Davis today announced that Melbourne has secured the right to host the 15th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH) in 2017, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, against strong competition from London and Barcelona.

Ms Asher said that the Congress, held every three to four years by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), is expected to attract more than 2,000 public health researchers, academics, scientists, educators and policy makers to Melbourne over five days.

“The 2017 Congress holds a special significance as it will coincide with the Federation’s 50th anniversary and it is expected to inject approximately $11.2 million into the state’s economy.

“This comes just a few months after we were notified that Melbourne will be the host city for another esteemed health-related event, the International Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Association World Congress in 2020,” Ms Asher said.

Mr Davis said that securing the Congress was a testament to Victoria’s strengths in its approach to public health.

“Victoria’s progressive public healthcare initiatives such as the Victorian Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011 – 2015, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians by engaging communities in prevention, strengthened Melbourne’s position as the most suitable destination to host the Congress.

“The Congress will provide a platform for global knowledge exchange on key public health issues such as communicable diseases, immunisation and obesity and will allow us to showcase our world-leading public health programs and research to the world,” Mr Davis said

Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), Karen Bolinger, said the conference win was proof of the city’s global reputation as a centre of excellence in science and medicine.

“Melbourne’s expertise in these fields is a major drawcard for international associations like WFPHA, as they are able to work with our research institutes and universities to create rich content and attract preeminent speakers to ultimately drive delegate attendance.”