12 January, 2022

The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is heading to Melbourne

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has delivered a successful bid to bring the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) to Melbourne in 2023 – the first time the congress will be held in Australia.

The congress will gather entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem builders and policymakers to identify new ways of helping founders start and scale new ventures around the world.

To be held over four days from 27 – 30 March 2023 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and managed by leading professional conference organiser MCI Australia, the GEC 2023 is expected to attract over 2,500 delegates from more than 170 countries.

MCB CEO, Julia Swanson, said Melbourne has a proven track record in hosting world-class business events and is renowned for its collaborative model.

“With support from the Victorian State Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program, MCB and Global Entrepreneurship Network’s (GEN) Australian Chapter have brought together key stakeholders across the Australian startup ecosystem, including Startup Victoria, Invest Victoria, and Melbourne Connect, to deliver a successful bid proposition to the congress host association,” said Swanson.

“In addition to delivering $12.9 million in economic contribution to our State, the GEC 2023 will advance Melbourne’s already thriving entrepreneurial sector. It will bring the right people together to help get ideas off the ground and share insights and developments that will have a lasting impact on the community.”

Melbourne boasts more than 1,800 technology-based startups and hosts 30 per cent of winners at the 2020 Australian Young Entrepreneur Awards.

Tourism Australia is excited to be supporting the GEC in 2023 through its Business Events Bid Fund Program and congratulates Melbourne on its successful bid to host this high-profile event.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said, “Attracting large-scale international events such as GEC 2023 play a key role in helping to generate global attention for Australia’s world-class business events offering whilst also delivering short and long terms benefits to our tourism industry and economy more broadly.”

Chairman of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, The Hon John Brumby AO, also commented on the upcoming event, describing it as a great opportunity for Melbourne as a progressive city of innovation.

“MCEC is delighted to play a role in supporting Victoria’s entrepreneurial leadership and innovation; a cause close to my own heart,” said Brumby .

“I believe this is a terrific opportunity to reinforce Victoria’s international reputation and standing, as a major exporter of ideas and innovation.

“This will be a cornerstone in MCEC’s events calendar, delivering vital capital not only in economic impact terms, but also knowledge sharing,” said Brumby.

Featured image: Youtube/Melbourne Convention Bureau

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

business events convention centre ecosystem builders entrepreneurs investors Julia Swanson MCI Australia Melbourne Melbourne Convention Bureau policymakers The Global Entrepreneurship Congress