At yesterday's (28 November 2007) Annual General Meeting, Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) released its 2006/07 results which show that more than 53,000 business visitors to Victoria were secured by the Bureau in the 2006/07 financial year - enough to fill Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

The total economic impact of the 101 business events secured by MCVB for Melbourne and Victoria is more than $219 million.

Chris Barlow, former chief executive of Melbourne Airport and newly elected Chairman of MCVB's Board, applauded the achievements of MCVB.

"The results speak for themselves; MCVB has delivered more in economic impact from business events in 2006/07 than any other Australian convention bureau. Melbourne has the infrastructure, commitment and expertise to live up to its title as the Nation's number one convention city," he said.

In a progressively more competitive environment, Melbourne is increasing its market share of international business events.

Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Officer, MCVB, said she was delighted with the Bureau's achievements.

"The 2006/07 financial year has been a period of innovation and renewal for MCVB. It has been an extraordinary year by any measure with the MCVB team exceeding every target set by the Board," she said.

Despite challenging targets and increased global competition, key achievements for MCVB in 2006/07 included:

• Exceeding 2006 delegate numbers into the city by 16%
• Exceeding target for delegate days for Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre by 25%
• New overseas offices opened in Singapore and Hong Kong to focus on lucrative corporate and incentive business events
• Running the first ever television advertising campaign in Asia by any convention bureau
• Development of new look collateral and new international website melbourneconventions.com.au
• AIME 2007 - MCVB's flagship industry event saw more than 400 hosted buyers attend the event, research showed that 94% of hosted buyers were likely to place business as a result of attending AIME 2007.