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Thousands of the world’s brightest minds are set to gather in Perth in 2024, when the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases returns to Perth for the first time in over fifty years.

The International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases is one of the leading global conferences on neuromuscular diseases, attracting thousands of delegates from around the world.

The event was first held in Perth in 1971, following the ground-breaking research by Western Australian Emeritus Professor Byron Kakulas AO who showed that degenerated muscle could regenerate in quokkas.

This research eventually led to United States Food and Drug Administration approved treatments developed by the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with application to other diseases.

Western Australian Tourism Minister David Templeman said the State Government was thrilled the Congress would return to Perth.

“We can’t wait to welcome the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases back to our beautiful state, and I encourage delegates to extend their stay and venture into our diverse regions to experience everything Western Australia has to offer,” Minister Templeman said.

“Business events are an important part of the Western Australian economy, bringing high yielding visitors to the State, which is why the McGowan Government funds organisations like Business Events Perth, through Tourism WA, to bid and secure major conferences and exhibitions for our thriving state.”

Business Events Perth chief executive Gareth Martin said Western Australia had put forward a competitive bid to the specialty group on neuromuscular diseases for the World Federation of Neurology to secure the Congress for 2024.

“Our expertise in bidding for international business events, combined with Western Australia’s excellence in the field of neuroscience, ensured that Perth was the obvious choice to host the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases in 2024,” Mr Martin said.

“As part of the bidding process, Western Australia presented itself as a premium destination to host business events, with a capital city filled with brand-new hotels and venues as well showing its ingenuity by collaborating with the local organising committee and industry to livestream its presentation to the globally-based decision-making committee. This innovation and collaboration meant Western Australia was highly competitive against other global destinations.”

Tourism Australia supported the bid to bring this event back to Australia through the Business Events Bid Fund Program.

“This is a tremendous win for Perth and for Australia, and we are thrilled to support business event bids such as this one through our Bid Fund Program,” said Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison.

“The return of the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases to Perth in 2024 once again highlights Australia’s expertise in particular knowledge sectors and continued appeal as a world-class business events destination.

“Securing these types of events, particularly with the long lead time involved, will ensure that Australia remains front of mind amongst global decision makers and continues to attract high-value business events in the future.”

To secure the conference Business Events Perth worked collaboratively with the local conference organising committee, which features prominent neurological scientists from the Perron Institute and professional conference organisers Arinex.

The local organising committee is chaired by Professor Sulev Kõks, a Perron Institute and Murdoch University genetic epidemiologist. Committee members include Professor Byron Kakulas AO, Professor Steve Wilton, a highly lauded neuroscientist whose work with Professor Sue Fletcher and their team led to the pioneering development of a radical new therapy for the treatment of a devastating childhood disorder, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Professors Francis Mastaglia and Miranda Grounds, Dr May Aung-Htut, and Dr Craig McIntosh, whose post doctorate work on rare neurodegenerative diseases saw him win one of City of Perth’s Aspire Awards in 2020. The awards are supported by Business Events Perth.

“Western Australia is a powerhouse of neuromuscular and neurological research,” said Professor Kõks.

“We pride ourselves not only on research innovation but also on translation of world-leading scientific developments into clinical practice and treatment.”

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas was part of Western Australia’s pitch to the global committee to secure the conference.

“Perth is a world class city, with exceptional infrastructure, public transport, and extraordinary experiences. It is a safe, clean, and sunny city, and we can’t wait to host delegates of the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases in 2024,” Mr Zempilas said.