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

  • Asecap Days 2024 in Milan: early-bird registration extended
    March 26, 2024
    2 April is new deadline for discounts to global tolling event in northern Italian city
  • MaaS Market Conferences on both sides of the Atlantic in 2018
    December 20, 2017
    Momentum shift in prospect as authorities accelerate plans to rethink transport provision. TS International’s second, two-day international MaaS Market conference takes place on 20 and 21 February 2018. The Mobility as a Service (MaaS) event is ideal for all organisations exploring new ways of getting people to their destination and new methods for them to pay for transport services.
  • ITS Australia and ITS Canada sign MOU
    October 23, 2012
    At the 2012 World Congress, ITS Australia and ITS Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster the development and deployment of ITS technologies in both countries. The two nations share many common elements impacting the deployment of intelligent transportation technologies, including large land masses with relatively sparse populations, long inter-urban corridors, and a heavy economic dependence on international trade, much of it resource based.
  • Intelligent transport systems - transforming transport in Australia
    June 29, 2017
    Intelligent transport systems (ITS) leaders from American, Asia Pacific and Europe will join the Australian smart transport community to explore current and future technologies at the Australian Intelligent Transport Systems Summit, 27-28 September 2017, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.