Social Program

The social events have been designed to ensure you have an outstanding experience whilst in Melbourne. Advance bookings are required for all events.

Opening Ceremony & Welcome Reception
Sunday 16 July 2023
Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Cost: Tickets are included for fully paid registrations. Additional tickets may be purchased for $88 inc GST.

The Opening Ceremony will take you on a journey, intertwining glimpses of great moments of discovery in genetics and the history of this Congress, with its beginnings in 1899 before the re-discovery of Mendel’s principles of inheritance. There will be fabulous imagery and music ranging the sounds of the didgeridoo to a performance from a star of the stage, Nigel Huckle. There will be a formal welcome and vignettes that point to some of the highlights of the 2023 Congress. At the Reception that follows you can meet your peers from around the world while enjoying canapes and drinks. Do not miss your opportunity to attend this wonderful event that has been created for your enjoyment!

Congress Social Evening - Connection
Date: Thursday 20 July 2023
Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: LUME Gallery - Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Cost: $130 per person inc GST.

Join us for an exclusive viewing of "Connection" a breathtaking celebration of First People’s art, music and culture. Featuring over 550 artworks from more than 110 visual and music artists, this showcase is the largest experience of First People’s Art ever gathered and fuses the world’s oldest culture with the most cutting-edge technology.

Held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, this immersive gallery space with projections four stories high is a multisensory experience presenting an incredible display of Australia’s most celebrated established and emerging First Nations artists through the lenses of Land, Water and Sky Country.

In collaboration with our Major Partner Illumina, and in celebration of their 25 years of innovation, a private viewing has been arranged for our delegates from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Drinks and canapes showcasing Australian native and locally grown ingredients will be served for your enjoyment.

Click play on the video below for a snapshot of what you can expect to experience at the event.

Make your booking when registering online or contact the ICG Congress Office