World renowned Australian scientist Alan Trounson is to become the first international member of an exclusive invitation only club to promote Melbourne as a business events destination. Trounson leaves Melbourne in December to take up the world’s top stem cell job in the US. Formerly director of stem cell research at Monash University in Melbourne, Trounson was an early pioneer of both in vitro fertilization and embryonic stem cell research. Trounson was first appointed a member of the exclusive Club Melbourne Ambassadors Program when it launched in 2005.

The program was established by the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, as a way to optimise Melbourne’s involvement in the lucrative business events market; where an average sized convention with just 4,000 delegates can boost an economy to the tune of close to $25 million.
The club started with 20 members and now boasts 80 of the intellectual leaders in the science, medical and research fraternities in Victoria.

They include the likes of former Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty, member of the UN General Assembly and founder of the first drug for type two diabetes Professor Paul Zimmet; and the creator of the first intelligent software agent to fly a space mission on NASA’s space shuttle Professor Michael Georgeff.
Trounson will be the first international member.

He says it’s humbling that he’ll be able to continue his work as an ambassador for Melbourne. “I will miss Melbourne very much and am thrilled to be able to carry on with my work promoting the city. I will work towards building an air bridge between California and Melbourne in biotechnology.”

Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre chief executive Leigh Harry says having someone of Trounson’s calibre working for Melbourne will be invaluable.

“While it’s a shame Melbourne is losing Alan, with his passion and knowledge, he will be able to make significant inroads as far as promoting our city, State and country as a leading business events destination.”

Club Melbourne Ambassadors have already helped to secure more than nine major international conventions for Melbourne injecting more than $210 million to the State economy.