Make it Melbourne

Why Victoria’s capital should be on your conference destination wish list

Why Melbourne should be your next conference destination

A city that hangs its hat on having some of Australia’s best culinary, cultural and sporting events, Melbourne also shines as a conference destination. Whether you’re planning a day conference, overnight company retreat or a longer residential conference, Melbourne’s wealth of sophisticated conference venues make it a winning location for corporate events, large and small. Here are five reasons why choosing Melbourne as your next conference destination is a wise decision:

Food for thought

One of the biggest conference talking points usually doesn’t appear on the official agenda. Get your conference menus wrong and you’ll have everyone talking for all the wrong reasons. The envy of the world, Melbourne’s legendary food and wine scene ensures that delegates will be treated to next-level culinary experiences. From enjoying a sommelier-led tasting experience in a beautiful wine cellar to sitting down to a decadent banquet in a stunning private dining room, the RACV City Club offers high-end dining experiences that will wow conference attendees. With some of Melbourne’s best small bars, cafes and eateries right on the doorstep of RACV City Club, a Melbourne conference is guaranteed to satisfy everyone from picky eaters to adventurous foodies.

_{Photo credit: Shannon Morris Visuals}

Room to move

Cabin fever can really kill the conference vibe, so incorporating a change of scenery into the agenda is crucial if you want to keep delegates interested and involved. One clever way to keep delegates engaged is to mix things up by using different spaces. Instead of packing attendees into one big room all day, conference organisers using Melbourne’s RACV City Club tend to make the most of the building’s different rooms and spaces. The purpose-built luxury theatrette can be used for video presentations, the Club Conservatory is great for stand-up breakfasts and cocktail events, while smaller function and meeting rooms are perfect for breakout sessions and brainstorming activities.

Nailing the basics

There’s no point putting together an interesting program with top keynote speakers if the conference location is hard to get to and difficult to travel around in. Minimising the stress involved with getting delegates to travel to your conference is a smart way to ensure all attendees arrive well-prepared and ready to participate. This is where Melbourne excels. Boasting thousands of hotel rooms, an airport that’s open 24 hours (with direct flight connections to a huge variety of domestic and international hubs) and an excellent public transport network (including free tram access within the CBD’s Free Tram Zone), Melbourne is a conference destination that ticks every box.

Turn of events

Want to see your conference attendance skyrocket? Host it in one of the world’s most happening cities and you won’t be short on numbers. From world-famous theatre productions, to blockbuster games of footy, late night stand-up comedy sets and subversive arts festivals, there’s always something happening in Melbourne. Many people who travel interstate to attend conferences like to add on a city break for themselves. Bursting with trendsetting galleries, boutiques, bars, band rooms and cafes, Melbourne is a hot destination you’ll have no problem convincing people to travel to.

_{Photo credit: Anne Morley}

Getaway gateway

Drive an hour or so out of Melbourne and you’ll be a world away from the buzz of the city. Including fun day trips in nature is a great way to break up a residential conference or provide delegates with a rewarding premium experience to celebrate the end of a conference. Head south to the Mornington Peninsula for beaches, boutique breweries and award-winning wineries. Drive to the Yarra Valley where you’ll find gin distilleries, farm gates, hot air ballooning adventures and bush trails perfect for gentle walks in nature. Wherever you go, some of the state’s best food, wine and scenery can be found only one hour out of Melbourne.