MELB STILL BRAVE AFTER C2 LOSS
MELBOURNE’S conference sector has vowed to continue taking risks in pursuit of innovation and disruption, despite the cancellation of the C2 Melbourne conference.
The Oct event had been expected to attract up to 3,000 delegates for a creative business event based around “inspiring talks, collaborative workshops, experiential brainstorming sessions, performances and festivities”.
However organisers this week confirmed the Melbourne event - initially planned for 2017 and postponed to this year - would now be dropped to allow a focus on the established C2 event in Montreal in May.
“While we demonstrated our deep commitment to bringing C2 Melbourne to life, a series of circumstances outside of our control made it impossible for us to execute on the creation of the event,” said C2 International president and chief executive officer Richard St-Pierre.
The organisation would not elaborate on the reasons for the cancellation, but said all ticket holders would be refunded.
A Victorian Government spokesman said no taxpayer money had been lost as a result of the cancellation.
“This is unfortunate news, but the closure of C2 Melbourne is a company decision,” he said.
Melbourne Convention Bureau ceo Karen Bolinger said the decision to enter into a relationship with C2 had been “about being brave, innovative and trying new things”.
“Whilst we are surprised and disappointed to have received the news of the cancellation of C2 Melbourne, we have been advised that it is in the best interests of Melbourne, our stakeholders, partners and prospective attendees,” she said.
“We will continue to take risks and seek out opportunities for innovation and disruption in the conference market.”
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre ceo Peter King said the centre was currently assessing the prospect of an ongoing partnership with C2 International.
The centre was the host venue for the event and had also announced a partnership in which “Signature C2 Labs” and experiences would be available to other event organisers.