Melbourne will host one of the world’s leading data centre and artificial intelligence conferences for the first time, marking Australia’s debut on a major global tech events circuit.
Scheduled for September, the co-located Data Center World and The AI Summit are expected to draw more than 1,000 delegates to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organisers estimate the event could deliver up to $4 million to Victoria’s visitor economy through accommodation, hospitality and related spending.
The twin conferences are part of Informa Connect’s international series, previously staged in markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom and parts of Asia. Their arrival in Melbourne places the city alongside established global hubs at a time when demand for AI capability and supporting infrastructure continues to rise.
The bid to bring the events to Victoria was led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau in partnership with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, with support from Business Events Australia. State officials have framed the win as recognition of Melbourne’s existing technology base, particularly in artificial intelligence and data services.
“This is a major vote of confidence in Victoria’s thriving tech ecosystem and a powerful boost to local businesses and jobs. These events bring world-class experts from across the globe and inject vital economic activity into our hotels, cafes, restaurants and venues”
— Steve Dimopoulos MP
Victoria currently hosts the largest concentration of AI firms in the country and around 40 data centres statewide. The Victorian Government has been promoting this footprint through its Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan, which aims to support skills development while attracting private investment. Government figures point to a pipeline of proposed projects that could represent up to $25 billion in capital expenditure, although the pace and scale of delivery will depend on market conditions, energy availability and planning approvals.
Tourism and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the conference would provide both economic and reputational benefits. He described the decision to bring the summit to Melbourne as a strong endorsement of the local tech ecosystem and noted the flow-on effects for hotels, restaurants and small businesses during the event period.
From an industry perspective, the summit offers an opportunity for local operators and policymakers to engage directly with international peers at a time when data centres face growing scrutiny around energy use, sustainability and community impact. These issues are likely to feature prominently alongside discussions on AI deployment, enterprise adoption and infrastructure resilience.
Economic Growth and Jobs Minister Danny Pearson said hosting the conference would allow Victoria to present itself as a destination for technology investment and collaboration. He linked the event to broader ambitions around digital transformation and workforce development, particularly as demand grows for specialised skills across cloud computing, AI systems and data security.
“Melbourne is recognised worldwide as a hub for innovation and technology, and hosting this conference reinforces that leadership. 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. This event positions Melbourne as the go-to destination for tech-driven growth and global partnerships.”
— Julia Swanson
Melbourne Convention Bureau chief executive Julia Swanson said the event reinforced the city’s reputation as a meeting place for global ideas, adding that bringing data centre and AI specialists together locally could help spark new partnerships and commercial opportunities.
Informa Connect president for tech events Marco Pardi said expanding the series to Melbourne reflected the city’s rising profile in the global technology conversation. He noted that the events are designed to connect enterprise leaders, infrastructure providers and innovators, with a focus on practical learning and collaboration.
Industry groups have also welcomed the announcement. Data Centres Australia chief executive Belinda Dennett said hosting a globally recognised conference locally would raise Victoria’s visibility as a market for AI infrastructure, while also giving Australian stakeholders easier access to international expertise.
The Melbourne events follow other major technology conferences secured for the city, including the International Conference on Neural Information Processing, scheduled for 2026. Together, these gatherings point to a steady effort by the state to position itself as a regular stop on the global technology conference calendar, even as competition between cities for such events remains intense.
More information on upcoming conferences is available here.
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