Skip to main content

Melbourne welcomes the world in opening spectacular

Through the melodic rhythm of the didgeridoo and traditional dancing, the 2016 ITS World Congress opening ceremony reflected the 2,500 generations that indigenous people have lived in Australia while the speakers considered the challenges facing host city Melbourne, other urban areas around Australia
October 10, 2016 Read time: 1 min
Local indigenous Australian Ian Hunter, performs a smoking ceremony believed to have cleansing properties and the ability to ward off bad spirits
Through the melodic rhythm of the didgeridoo and traditional dancing, the 2016 ITS World Congress opening ceremony reflected the 2,500 generations that indigenous people have lived in Australia while the speakers considered the challenges facing host city Melbourne, other urban areas around Australia – and indeed the world. Delegates were told that Melbourne’s population is expected to double by 2050, exacerbating the transport challenges that are so prevalent across an increasing urbanised world. So during the congress, more than 1,000 discussions, 300 exhibitors, 13 demonstrations and technical tours of all transport modes will help the 9,200 delegates take ideas and solutions back to 70 nations.

Then, having cut the ribbon to officially open the Congress, delegates, exhibitors and presenters alike were treated to a welcome reception sponsored by Cubic Transport System were treated to networking opportunities and colourful entertainment.

Related Content

  • January 19, 2012
    New technology and economics at ITS World Congress 2011
    ITS America prepares for the 18th World Congress on ITS and 2011 Annual Meeting, 16-20 October 2011, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. In the final moments of the 2008 ITS World Congress in New York City, organisers and planning committee members quietly celebrated the conclusion of another extremely successful event for the ITS industry. In spite of the economic climate at the time, the 2008 World Congress was well attended by delegates from 66 countries and yielded impressive results than
  • September 10, 2014
    Viewpoint on the 2015 ITS World Congress
    The next ITS World Congress will be held in stunning Bordeaux, France, from 5 – 9 October, 2015. Didier Gorteman, Ertico - ITS Europe, chair of the organising committee, explains how the event is shaping up. Q The theme of next year’s ITS World Congress in Bordeaux is “Towards intelligent mobility – Better use of space”. Could you give an overview of how this theme will shape the event? A The EPC chose this theme together with the host organisations. With the word space we want to make a link to space
  • May 9, 2016
    ITS Australia hosts Technical Tours at ITS World Congress
    ITS Australia is to host a series of technical tours at this year’s ITS World Congress, to be held in Melbourne 10-14 October. A selection of Melbourne’s transport organisations will guide attendees through tours in Melbourne as well as Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, New Zealand. Participants will be given a unique insight into the intricate details of systems that support the world’s most liveable city. Delegates will have the opportunity to take technical tours to: CityLink fully electronic toll road,
  • October 22, 2012
    The connectivity congress
    By the time this 19th ITS World Congress officially ends on Friday with Plenary Session III and the Closing Ceremony, over 1,000 presentations will be have been made through the huge programme of sessions - Executive, Special Interest, Technical/Scientific, and Interactive sessions. However, it is the three plenary sessions that will encapsulate this whole event and its legacy. The theme of the year’s ITS World Congress is ‘smarter on the way’. The stated aim is that all citizens and businesses have at al