The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has awarded Jan Tonkin, founder of The Conference Company and former IAPCO President, with Honorary Membership. “Jan Tonkin has been instrumental in IAPCO’s growth and development over many years,” IAPCO president Sissi Lignou said at the 2026 Annual Meeting & General Assembly in Athens, Greece.
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has won its bid to host the 19th Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society (APVRS) Congress in 2026. The city has secured the event’s long-awaited return to Australia, its first since Sydney in 2015.
The APVRS Congress is a significant win for the Gold Coast, set to attract more than 2,000 international authorities, researchers and practitioners in vitreoretinal diseases. The three-day conference is projected to deliver $6.9 million* in economic impact to the city.
Melbourne, Australia — Think Business Events has reinforced Australia’s reputation for world‑class conference leadership with the successful delivery of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, the fourth in the partnership’s collaboration.
With only 16 weeks to opening, Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre already has multi-day conferences booked as far out as 2029.
Speaking to micenet last week at the 2026 Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) in Melbourne, Nyaal Banyul’s general manager Rick Aylett said interest in the venue was “really strong”.
For many people, it’s not one defining crisis but the accumulation of pressure — work demands, personal challenges, uncertainty and constant change. Even those who appear to be coping are often carrying more than they let on.
Wellington has successfully hosted the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Business Workshop from 12–14 February – the first time the event has been held in the Asia-Pacific region – delivering opportunity for the capital and the wider business events sector in New Zealand.
It’s all about business events: micenet – February edition. Read micenet’s latest magazine
At Wesley Conference Centre, we offer impact that your clients can stand behind, without increasing their budget. Every booking helps fund Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland, including 24/7 crisis counselling and supports lifesaving work across our community.
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The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) will officially open its doors on 11 February 2026, marking a major milestone for Auckland and New Zealand.