More Than 4,500 Chinese Dragons Set To Descend On Melbourne

The International Dragon Award (IDA) Annual Meeting, a prestigious international conference currently being hosted in Dubai, will be staged in Melbourne in August 2017, it was officially announced today.

More than 4,500 Mandarin speaking insurance specialists chose Melbourne for their convention and awards because of the city’s outstanding success in hosting large international meetings.

“These delegates are particularly focused on growth from their business partnerships. This is an ideal fit with our unique ‘Team Melbourne’ approach of working with partners across the city to deliver the best possible conference experience,” said Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer Karen Bolinger.

The city’s collaborative approach and track record in delivering meetings of this size were some of the reasons that attracted the IDA Annual Meeting to Melbourne.

“When organisers needed a venue capable of hosting this large group, they looked to our multiple award winning Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC),” said Peter King, MCEC Chief Executive.

The Victorian Government is a sponsor of the 2017 international conference.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said the delegates were guaranteed a stimulating and engaging experience inside and outside the conference venue.

“Melbourne has been voted the world’s most liveable city for five consecutive years by the Economist Intelligence Unit and offers delegates the chance to experience its thriving and sophisticated food, art and cultural scene during their visit. We look forward to welcoming the International Dragon Award Meeting delegates in 2017 and sharing all that Melbourne and Victoria have to offer,” Mr Eren said.

Delegates will come from China Life, China’s largest insurance group, institutional investor and corporate pension manager along with other companies such as Allianz, Taiwan Life, Prudential, and Cathay Life.

The International Dragon Award Annual Meeting will comprise a fully international group of delegates. They will travel to Melbourne from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Malaysia and will generate an estimated A$20.2 million economic boost for Victoria

“I would like to thank the City of Melbourne for providing valuable support during the bid process to win the IDA Annual Meeting,” Ms Bolinger said.

The announcement that Melbourne will host the International Dragon Award (IDA) Annual Meeting 2017 was made today in Dubai, host of the 2015 annual meeting.

About The Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO)

Established in 1997, the Victorian Government Business Office, Dubai (VGBO) is operated by the State Government of Victoria to help promote Victorian trade and investment in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

Through a variety of programmes and business initiatives, the VGBO assists Victorian exporters and provides assistance to Middle Eastern, African and Turkish companies and organisations to source products and services, business introductions and investment opportunities with Victoria.

For more information visit www.invest.vic.gov.au