Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has won another major international convention to be held in the new Melbourne convention centre.

The World Federation of Parasitologists (WFP) has chosen Melbourne as the city to host the International Congress of Parasitology, ICOPA XII, which will be held at the new Melbourne Convention Centre in the second week of August, 2010.

The Congress will attract 2,000 scientists from around the world to Melbourne, to discuss topics such as parasites that threaten aquaculture and agricultural animals, ecosystem health, human health, emerging and tropical diseases, pandemics, biosecurity and bioterrorism.

Melbourne has a worldwide reputation for excellence in this field with the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Monash University, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research being leaders in parasitological research.

“The ICOPA XII will allow Australia to showcase it capabilities and expertise in parasitology and to further exchange information with leaders in this field from around the world,” said CEO of MCVB, Sandra Chipchase. 

The convention is expected to provide a total economic benefit to the State of Victoria estimated at $10.8 million.

“There are now ten major conferences locked in for the new centre between in 2009 and 2012, which will bring 16,500 delegates whose spending is worth nearly $88 million to the State,” Chipchase said.