Melbourne chosen for 7th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience 2007

The 51,000-member International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) has chosen Melbourne over London and Florence as the destination for the 7th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience 2007. It will be the first time the event has been held in Australia.

The decision was made following a joint presentation on Melbourne by Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and the Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) to the IBRO Governing Council in Lisbon, Portugal.

Mr Garry Kingshott, MCVB chief executive officer, said that, “Melbourne’s reputation as a centre for scientific and medical research, combined with the City’s excellent meetings and convention infrastructure and the relatively low cost of accommodation and entertainment, all contributed to the successful bid.

“We are extremely pleased that MCVB has been able to assist the Australian Neuroscience Society to win this event. As well as bringing enormous benefits to the local scientific community, the World Congress of Neuroscience will generate delegate expenditure in excess of AU$15 million,” Mr Kingshott said.

The Congress is expected to attract 2,000 – 3,000 delegates from around the world. One of IBRO’s main objectives is to facilitate scientific exchange between its members and young researchers. As part of its role as the local host, ANS will seek sponsors to fund travel expenses for around 100 deserving young researchers to attend the conference. A concurrent trade show will also provide additional funding for travel grants.

“The importance of winning an event such as this for Melbourne, Australia and the Asia Pacific region cannot be underestimated,” said Dr Andrew Gundlach, Senior Research Fellow at the Howard Florey Institute and a member of ANS and IBRO.

“The flow on effects of the interest in Australian neuroscience generated through the Congress, satellite meetings and visits by delegates to local laboratories and institutes could bring great economic and scientific benefits for Melbourne,” he said.

“The potential of meeting with international colleagues and making scientific and social links which can subsequently be furthered by ongoing electronic and other interactions, cannot be overstated,” Dr Gundlach said.