Figures from the State Government and ITS Australia (ITSA), which led the organising of the event, also show that the total number of delegates reached 11,500 from Australia and 72 other countries, which was more than 50 per cent greater than planned said ITSA chairman Brian Negus.
“The Congress was a great success and, from an industry point of view, it showcased Melbourne’s integrated transport network, connected local industries to the global market and enabled Australian leaders to engage with international colleagues,” he said.
“But it wasn’t just Melbourne that benefited. After travelling a combined total of more than 36 million kilometres to come here, many visitors then made additional trips to regional Victoria and interstate.”
World stage: Melbourne played host to the 2016 ITS World Congress which saw delegates from all around the world flock to the city.
The World Congress event was the second held in Australia, 16 years after the first in Sydney, and ITSA chief executive Susan Harris said the intelligent transport systems industry had been determined to make the Melbourne event a memorable one.
“The World Congress put Australia on the transport technology map and shone the spotlight on our position as global leaders,” she said.
“A number of industry opportunities, partnerships and initiatives are now underway and over the next few years we expect to see more World Congress benefits realised, which will have a positive impact on industry and consumers with safer, more efficient and sustainable transport options.”
The Congress program included visits to the control room of road operator CityLink, who control the Monash and Tullamarine tollways and the first in the world to deploy a free-flow, multi-lane tolling system where vehicles do not have to stop to pay the tolls.
Brian Negus
ITSA has only a small secretariat and had to work for five years, as well as enlisting the support of many collaborators, to pull off what was a major undertaking.
“Delivering the ITS World Congress to Melbourne was a collaborative effort, involving many partners including the Victorian Government, Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC),” Ms Harris said.
State treasurer Tim Pallas said the Congress was the second largest international association conference ever held in Melbourne.
“Victoria is a national and international leader in technology, transport and tourism,” he said.
“The ITS World Congress in Melbourne made a significant economic contribution, benefiting Victorian businesses, jobs and paving the way for future opportunities.”
Apart from 11,500 delegates, the five-day Congress comprised 250 plenary, executive, special interest, scientific and technical sessions, live vehicle demonstrations on the Albert Park Grand Prix track for 3500 delegates and visits to Melbourne’s air, sea, road, rail, tram and freight centres.
In addition, there was an exhibition of the latest road transport technology with 278 exhibitors demonstrating their products and services.
The Congress cemented Melbourne’s position as the nation’s leading business events destination, said Convention Bureau chief executive Karen Bolinger.
She said it showcased Victoria’s pre-eminence in the ITS sector, its research infrastructure and policy leadership.
“Economic contribution is a key indicator of the success of a business event, however it is the beyond-tourism legacies, such as those that occurred from the ITS World Congress in Melbourne, that are the real indicators of the long term impact and success of an event,” Ms Bolinger said.
The Congress is held every year and rotates between Europe, the Asia/Pacific and North America. The 2017 event will be held in Montreal, Canada.
By Ian Porter
Read More: Related articles
