Melbourne is set to host the world’s leading data centre and artificial intelligence tech summit for the first time in Australia.
The summit will be held in September and is expected to attract more than 1,000 attendees, providing a boost to the state’s visitor economy of up to $4 million. It will showcase the spectrum of technology transformations shaping the future of business innovation and advancement.
The two co-located events, Data Center World and The AI Summit, will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – joining Informa Connect’s prestigious global series held in the USA, the UK and Asia.
“Data Centres Australia welcomes the announcement today. Having a globally recognised conference for our industry here in Melbourne really puts Victoria on the map to be a leading market for artificial intelligence infrastructure and we commend the Allan Government for backing their intention with action,” said Data Centres Australia Chief Executive Officer, Belinda Dennett.
The bid was secured for Melbourne by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), with support from Business Events Australia.
“Melbourne is recognised worldwide as a hub for innovation and technology, and hosting this conference reinforces that leadership,” said Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive, Julia Swanson.
“By convening experts in data centres and AI, we’re showcasing Victoria’s cutting-edge capabilities and creating opportunities for collaboration that will shape the future of digital infrastructure.”
Melbourne is home to the largest cluster of AI firms in Australia, with 40 data centres across the state.
The announcement follows other major technology and innovation events secured for Melbourne attracting thousands of attendees, including the International Conference on Neural Information Processing (ICONIP) in 2026.
“This is a major vote of confidence in Victoria’s thriving tech ecosystem and a powerful boost to local businesses and jobs,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos.
“These events bring world-class experts from across the globe and inject vital economic activity into our hotels, cafes, restaurants and venues.”
For more information on Victoria’s upcoming major conferences, visit melbournecb.com.au.
