The Melbourne Market Authority and Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market have won the bid to host the World Union of Wholesale Markets Congress (WUWM) in 2017.
The announcement was made at the 2016 WUWM Conference, which took place in Poland on 20 May.
The bi-annual congress is set to attract around 300 local and international delegates, covering topics from the changing retail landscape, to new technologies and strategies for the future, and will also include a visit to Melbourne Market, the wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower site recently relocated to Epping, as well as a visit to the Queen Victoria Market, the retail market undergoing a A$250m renewal.
Hosting the 2017 WUWM Congress will allow Australia to showcase the quality and diversity of Australia produce, said Melbourne Market Authority chairman Stephen McArthur.
“From Bundaberg to Bendigo, Carnarvon to Corangamite, Australian horticulture is world class. This is a great opportunity for the Australian horticulture sector to not only showcase our produce, but also the new technologies and innovations being implemented nationwide,” said McArthur.
“This congress couldn’t happen at a more exciting time for Melbourne and the Queen Victoria Market,' said Paul Guerra, chairman of the Queen Victoria Market.'We’re about to embark on a renewal programme that will preserve and celebrate the market’s history and authentic atmosphere while allowing the market precinct to evolve to meet contemporary needs of traders, customers and our growing city. The congress presents a great opportunity to showcase Melbourne’s great markets while learning and sharing with other industry experts around the world.'
The congress will also offer an optional visit to Sydney’s Flemington and Haymarket sites.
The last time the WUWM congress was held in Australia was in 1989, with the 2017 event the first to be hosted by Melbourne.
