Victoria Invitation Program
The Victoria Invitation Program (VIP) is an invitation-only inbound trade mission program showcasing the very best of Victoria, and is a great way for potential export partners to experience first-hand what Victoria has to offer.
It brings together influential leaders and decision-makers in business and government to meet and develop business relationships with Victorian business owners.
Taking place in March every year, the VIP calendar consists of one major showcase event, as well as a number of bespoke, sector-based events and inbound trade missions.
Over 100 leaders and decision-makers from across the globe come to Melbourne to meet with Victoria's business delegates from a range of key industry sectors. Delivering a cross-sectoral program creates business opportunities across industry, encourages innovation and introduces international buyers and investors to Victoria's broad range of capabilities.
The bespoke sector-based events and inbound trade missions have a single sector focus, again welcoming influential leaders and decision-makers in business and government to learn about Victoria's business capabilities, and build the foundations for new trade and investment partnerships.
VIP is part of a four-year A$12 million government initiative to build a strong and sustainable inbound trade mission program to help Victorian businesses drive exports, and create more jobs for Victorians.
VIP terms and conditions
For more information, please read through our full terms and conditions.
VIP 2017
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade welcomed more than 150 international delegates from 19 countries to the Victoria Invitation Program (VIP) – the state's flagship inbound trade mission.
VIP provided delegates the opportunity to meet and network with hundreds of Victorian businesses in international education, international health, eCommerce, fashion, professional services, sports technology and financial services.
Delegates participated in visits to the state's top health and medical technology facilities, regional tours of Geelong and Bendigo, eCommerce seminars, and an investment and infrastructure forum, all designed to establish international trade partnerships for Victorian businesses.
VIP leveraged two of Melbourne's biggest fashion and sporting events with delegates also attending the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne's iconic Formula One Grand Prix.
VIP 2018
Staged in two parts over the month of March, this year's Victorian Invitation Program welcomed 150 delegates from across the globe, including several recent business migrants now located in Victoria.
Hosting nine separate international delegations, including a number of visiting journalists as part of the Program, a range of sectors were represented at VIP, including aged care, beverages, the creative industries, international education, liveability (waste and water management), medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, retail and eCommerce, sports technologies, and the visitor economy.
Bringing together influential leaders and decision makers, VIP 2018 saw over 500 Victorian businesses and allies engage with the visiting delegates at business networking activities, including industry roundtable events, site visits, one-on-one meetings and business receptions.
Video: Victorian Invitation Program - Fashion Week 2018
International delegates also participated in other networking and cultural activities programmed as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne International Fashion Festival (VAMFF), Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Melbourne Design Week, the 2018 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, and the hallmark international business dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria, which also included a private viewing of the Kusama, Nendo and Guo Pei exhibits at the NGV Triennial.
Delegates were from markets as diverse as Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE and the USA.
