Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has announced that Melbourne has won the bid to host the 11th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2019 (DOHaD). It will be the first time the biennial congress will be held in Melbourne.
The four-day event will take place at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and is expected to attract 800 scientists, clinical researchers, obstetricians, paediatricians, public health professionals and police leaders.
Minister for tourism and major events, John Eren, said: “Events of this calibre put Melbourne and Victoria on a world stage and contribute significantly to our economy. Business events are the highest yielding sector of the Victorian visitor economy, delivering an economic contribution of A$9.98bn (US$7.37bn) and 65,000 jobs annually.”
Karen Bolinger, MCB chief executive officer, said: “This collaboration has seen MCB lead in bringing together State Government, MCEC, Club Melbourne, Monash University and Murdoch Children’s Institute to deliver a bid proposition to the congress host association; the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, that could meet and exceed their objectives for the congress, as well as demonstrate our proven expertise in delivering health events.”
MCEC chief executive, Peter King, said: “Professors Bertram and Wallace are great examples of the world leaders we have in our Club Melbourne Ambassador Programme, all of whom work tirelessly to collaborate to help secure international conferences for our city.”
Professor mark Hanson, president of the DOHaD, said: “Melbourne was chosen as the host city for DOHaD 2019 because of its expert medical research community, as well as the collaborative nature of its approach to winning the event. The DOHaD community look forward to meeting in the beautiful city of Melbourne for what we are confident will be a very stimulating and enjoyable Congress.”
