LETTER OF INVITATION

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Professor Peter C. Doherty
President – International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)
c/o Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Melbourne
Parkville
Victoria 3010
Australia

17th April 2009

Dear Professor Doherty

Re: International Congress of Immunology (ICI) 2016

It is with great pleasure that the Australasian Society for Immunology (ASI) wishes to advise that they will submit a bid to host the International Congress of Immunology (ICI) 2016.

The ASI is well placed in the world of Immunology to co-ordinate this Congress. The ASI was created by the amalgamation in 1991 of the Australian Society for Immunology, formed in 1970, and the New Zealand Society for Immunology. It is a broadly-based Society, embracing Clinical and Experimental, Cellular and Molecular Immunology in Humans and Animals. The Society provides a network for the exchange of information and for collaboration within Australia, New Zealand and overseas.

The ASI has decided that Melbourne, Australia will be put forward as the host city for the 2016 Congress. Melbourne is recognised internationally as a Centre of Excellence in Medical Research, with Australia’s largest concentration of Research Institutions. The State Government of Victoria is extremely supportive of the Melbourne Bid and is has made an unprecedented investment in the State’s Medical Research Infrastructure. Victoria is home to 141 Biotech Companies, 15 Major Medical Research Institutes, 7 Teaching Hospitals and 9 Universities. Melbourne has also joined London and Boston as one of only three cities in the world with two Universities in the global top 20 Biomedical Rankings. Australia is also the Number One Location for Biotechnology in the Asia Pacific Region and Number Six in the world (Source: Ernst & Young 2005).

The proposed Congress venue is the new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). When it opens in mid 2009, it will be Australia’s largest combined Convention and Exhibition Facility. Having achieved a Six Star Green Star Environmental Rating, it will be one of the mot impressive architectural and environmental buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. The Convention Centre would be able to host the 2016 Congress all under the one roof within its City Centre location.

Melbourne has more than 23,000 accommodation rooms with approximately 14,700 located within the heart of the City. The majority are within walking distance to the MCEC – Melbourne is a great walking city and there would be no need for transportation from hotels to the Convention Centre.

Melbourne International Airport is only a 20 minute drive from the City Centre with one traffic light between the Airport and the Convention Centre. It is open 24 hours, is curfew free and currently has 450 direct international flights per week to and from major destinations. Within the City Centre itself, Melbourne has a comprehensive, efficient and well-integrated public transport system. The compact city grid network and transport facilities allow easy access to all major hotels, meeting venues and local attractions. Melbourne offers a free City Circle Tram and Tourist Shuttle Bus that travels around the city and links with other tram, train and light rail services.

The ASI will bring together a Local Organising Committee of Immunology experts who will be responsible for the 2016 Congress. The following experts have already agreed to sit on the committee:

We are confident that The International Congress of Immunology (ICI) 2016 in Melbourne will offer a successful Congress with great outcomes in a wonderful city.

Yours Sincerely,

 

Dr Miles Davenport
President – Australian Society for Immunology Inc.
Centre for Vascular Research
University of New South Wales
James Cook University
Kensington NSW 2052
email: m.davenport@unsw.edu.au