Media Releases

Melbourne is poised to make history as it is set to welcome the world’s leading data center and artificial intelligence event for the first time in Australia. Joining Informa Connect’s prestigious global series held in the USA, UK and Asia, this landmark event will take place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in September 2026. These groundbreaking co-located events unite two industry leading platforms, offering unparalleled opportunity to explore the full spectrum of technology transformation shaping the future of business innovation and technological advancement.

The event is expected to attract over 1,000 attendees and inject up to $4 million into the state’s visitor economy, with significant longer-term benefits to the economy and the technology sector. 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.

The global data centre market is projected to reach US $4 trillion by 2030, with providers already accelerating large-scale investments in Melbourne to tap into the city’s growing AI and cloud demand to establish high performance computing infrastructure. Melbourne is rising as Australia’s data centre capital and is a national leader in the AI evolution, being home to the largest cluster of AI firms in Australia and 40 data centres, including two of the four new Australian AI Adopt Centres.

The Victorian Government is committed to investing in jobs and skills to support this rapid growing sector as part of its Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan, leveraging the state’s critical assets to unlock projects in the pipeline worth up to $25 billion in potential capital expenditure. Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement acknowledges AI and machine learning within digital technologies as a priority sector and the event acquisition is reflective of the strength of Victoria’s economy and its dynamic industries shaping the future including financial services, professional, scientific and technical services and healthcare.

The announcement adds to a growing list of major international technology and innovation conferences secured for Melbourne. Upcoming events include the International Conference on Neural Information Processing (ICONIP) 2026, which will welcome 800 global experts in neural information processing, and the IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR) 2027, set to attract more than 800 delegates.

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“Hosting this conference e in Victoria is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our state as a global leader in tech and innovation. These events bring world-class experts from across the globe, inject vital economic activity into our hotels, cafes, restaurants and venues. It’s a major vote of confidence in Victoria’s thriving tech ecosystem and a powerful boost to local businesses and jobs.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson

“Victoria is leading the way in digital transformation, and hosting a conference focused on data centres and artificial intelligence will accelerate growth across these critical sectors. This event will attract global innovators and investors, foster partnerships, and showcase our state’s advanced infrastructure and talent. By positioning Victoria at the forefront of AI and data centre development, we’re driving new opportunities for technology businesses, creating high skill jobs, and strengthening our competitive edge in the digital economy.”

Quotes attributable to Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Julia Swanson

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Informa Connect President, Tech Events, Marco Pardi

“Expanding Data Center World and The AI Summit Series to Melbourne underscores the growing role these event platforms play in powering the global economy. Our goal is to convene a connected, global community of technology innovators and enterprise leaders to advance learning, collaboration and the next chapter of AI- and data-driven transformation.”