Big congresses down under

Australia is attracting some large scientific conferences involving thousands of delegates, and Melbourne is the place to be.

The 22nd World Diabetes Congress, held at the beginning of December in Melbourne, represents Australia’s largest ever health conference.

Reportedly attracting more than 10,000 delegates, it is estimated the congress will provide a $63 million boost to the Victorian economy.

AIDS 2014, 20th International AIDS Conference, is the largest international conference on HIV and AIDS. This meeting will take place in Melbourne in April next year and is expected to attract around 14,000 participants.

A third meeting, the World Congress of Cardiology, is scheduled to take place in Melbourne in May next year. Organised by the World Heart Foundation, the 2012 meeting attracted 11,000 delegates.

Conferences provide an important avenue for exchange of information between participants. These big biannual meetings will bring a big injection of knowledge and international learning to Australia as well as large injections of money.

It’s a testament to Australia’s strength in scientific and clinical research, policy and public health that these global gatherings are taking place on our shores.