22nd World Diabetes Congress

• The IDF and the Fred Hollows Foundation announced a ten-year partnership to tackle diabetic retinopathy - one of the most common diabetes complications - seeking to strengthen advocacy, the workforce and technology development
• Delivered $63 million economic contribution to Victoria
• The 10,273 delegates were from 170 countries
• Melbourne was able to showcase its acclaimed medical institutions and academic strengths in the field of diabetes
• Members of more than 50 parliaments committed themselves to tackling the worldwide diabetes pandemic at the first-ever Parliamentary Champions For Diabetes Forum.

ABOUT THE CONGRESS
In December 2013, Melbourne seamlessly delivered the largest medical conference ever hosted in Australia – the 22nd World Diabetes Congress. A biennial event, the Congress provides the global diabetes community with the latest findings in research and is a platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices. The prestigious event was secured for Melbourne by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) in partnership with Professor Paul Zimmet AO - Director Emeritus, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and Club Melbourne Ambassador.

The IDF chose Melbourne as the host city for the Congress because of its acclaimed medical institutions and academic strengths in the field of diabetes, along with the Australian government’s policies on diabetes treatment and care at a state and national level. Also key were the exceptional facilities available at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the city’s ease of accessibility for delegates and proven ability to host an event of this scale.

CONVENTION BUREAU SUPPORT
As a full service bureau, MCB worked closely with IDF from when the bid was won right through to event execution. Specifically, MCB coordinated the city-wide collaboration to support the Congress, including introductions to the state and local government and local suppliers. In addition, MCB conducted site inspections of Melbourne for Congress organisers and initiated international promotional activities to drive delegate attendance.

The advice and assistance provided by MCB covered a broad range of topics such as the applicable tax regime, the opening of an international bank account, assistance in the tendering process for local suppliers and advice on culturally sensitive matters.

Showcasing Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
The World Diabetes Congress has been the largest event held at MCEC to date, utilising the entire Convention Centre and majority of the Exhibition Centre.

MCEC’s in-house technology experts partnered with and supported the IDF team throughout the entire event. In a first for the Centre, every in-room camera was utilised to webcast and record the 700 speaker sessions. In addition, over 6000 attendees accessed the Platinum Wi-Fi service.

MCEC’s award-winning chefs created a healthy menu for delegates which was a key requirement of the IDF and served 18,000 meals over the five days. Meals were available to delegates via new public catering pop-up food stations.

The delegates were impressed by the exceptional standard of the food at the Congress, commenting that it was amazing to see what MCEC came up with. Delegates particularly responded to the interesting and wide variety of options and value for money pricing.

OUTCOMES
One of the most significant legacies resulting from the Congress was that members of more than 50 parliaments committed themselves to tackling the worldwide diabetes pandemic at the first-ever Parliamentary Champions For Diabetes Forum. At this event, led by Victorian Minister for Health David Davis, the Melbourne Declaration was released, which set a global framework for parliamentarians across the world to cooperate and collaborate on the diabetes agenda.

In addition, IDF and the Fred Hollows Foundation announced a ten-year partnership to tackle diabetic retinopathy - one of the most common diabetes complications - seeking to strengthen advocacy, the workforce and technology development.

“We thought Melbourne would be the perfect backdrop to inspire global actions for any agreements to act on diabetes to help safeguard the health of future generations. Melbourne’s location makes it easily accessible for delegates from India and China - two countries with high numbers of people with diabetes and where the greatest number of delegates came from. And of course the beautiful Convention Centre itself and its central location made it easy to operate the conference from.”
Celina Renner, Congress Manager
International Diabetes Federation

“The information provided was prompt, targeted and correct. IDF would certainly recommend the services of MCB to other international associations looking for a destination to host their next international conference.”
Celina Renner, Congress Manager
International Diabetes Federation

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