Melbourne is set to welcome the world’s leading experts in gastroenterology and hepatology as it hosts the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) 2025. Scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), this premier event on the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) calendar will bring together 3,000 delegates from around the globe and is expected to inject $17.7 million to Victoria’s local economy.
The successful bid to host WCOG 2025 was spearheaded by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) in partnership with the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) and supported by the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program. President of the World Gastroenterology Organisation and Club Melbourne Ambassador, Geoffrey Metz also played a pivotal role in the bid win.
MCB Chief Executive Officer Julia Swanson said Melbourne’s renowned global standing in medical research and innovation, combined with the Victorian Government’s dedication to advancing the city’s medical precincts, has positioned Melbourne as a top choice for hosting healthcare conferences.
“This event will serve as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, fostering significant progress in gastroenterology and hepatology. Healthcare conferences play a key role in promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing, often leading to breakthroughs that drive substantial improvements in health outcomes,” Julia Swanson said.
On the announcement of the win, President of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, Professor Alex Boussioutas, said: “The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) is delighted to be awarded hosting rights for the World Congress of Gastroenterology. In collaboration with the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), this event will bring together Australia, and the world’s leading voices in gastroenterology and hepatology for a three-day conference and exhibition. ”
To be held against the stunning backdrop of Melbourne’s Yarra River, and with the MCEC as the venue of choice for this prestigious event, the World Congress of Gastroenterology will strengthen Melbourne and Australia as a pivotal city and region in advancing the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology.
Further highlighting Melbourne’s central role in global advancements in gastroenterology and hepatology, GESA will integrate its renowned annual event Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW) into the Congress. Regularly attracting around 1,700 attendees, AGW will offer a prime opportunity for both national and international delegates to engage and collaborate.
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison commented on the broader economic impact of the event, noting: “More than 3,000 delegates from around the world will travel to Melbourne next year for WCOG and make a significant contribution to the local visitor economy and Australian visitor economy more broadly. International business events contributed $4.4 billion in the 12 months to June this year, which is why it is important we continue to secure a strong pipeline of future events through Tourism Australia’s Bid Fund Program.”
