[ON LOCATION] LISA SIMUNDSON
A meeting or incentive from the U.S. to Australia starts with a flight across the Pacific—14+ hours’ flying time from San Francisco to the Australian continent. Worth doing? Without a doubt!
In fact, as we discovered on our recent trip to Melbourne for AIME 2025, we spent about as much time getting there as we had for other, closer destinations, especially factoring in connections and ground transportation. Gone are the days when you had to connect through Sydney. It’s nonstop to Melbourne all the way.
Joining that nonstop service will be Delta, introducing service from LA this December. Also offering nonstops are United from San Francisco and LA; and Qantas from Dallas/Fort Worth.
As for the logistics of the flight, you might want to budget in premium economy or business class seats—we flew business on United—because attendees will want to get some shut-eye during the voyage so they arrive fresh and ready to experience everything this seaside city has to offer.
In our case, we arrived at the Novotel Melbourne South Wharf ready to check out the city before the convention started. For even more convenience, the Novotel is connected directly to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
A sustainable strategy that nurtures the environment and the community—this is Melbourne’s commitment to the future. Anyone bringing a meeting here should be pleased to know that the MCEC earned a 6-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council Australia and plans to cut emissions in half by 2030, with ultimate net zero by 2050.
The Melbourne Airport is set to reach net zero later this year and is also planning an expansion of its international terminal to keep up with passenger numbers.
“Our focus for sustainability is driving positive impact for the city, and we look for events that align with our goals,” said Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, at an AIME press conference. “Later this year, we’re hosting the APAC Wind Energy Summit and we’ll welcome the Women Deliver conference in 2026.”
Reconciliation with First Nations—promoting the traditions, laws and customs of Aboriginal people—is a huge part of Melbourne’s sustainability goals; we saw that pledge in action everywhere we went, as all events started with an acknowledgement of the land’s ancestral owners.
“What is more important than our heritage?” asked Patty McDonald, a professional coach and founder of Apex Leadership, who addressed our group during lunch at Farmer’s Daughters, serving farm-to-table local favorites. McDonald also works with the Nature Boss tour company, offering eco-friendly excursions around the country. His favorite eco-destination? Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
The 94-acre Gardens were our next stop, and the visit was transformative. Our group took a private guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk, discovering native plants and learning how they were (and still are) used by members of the Kulin Nation.
Other tours include Forest Bathing, a form of “ecotherapy” allowing participants to reconnect with nature; programs are available for groups and teambuilding. The Gardens also feature private indoor spaces as well as lush outdoor lawns for events.
Even the NFL has recognized the accessibility of Melbourne. More to come in our next issue!
melbournecb.com.au @melbourneconventionbureau; #MeetinMelbourne @businesseventsaustralia
