The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has launched the second edition of the interactive Melbourne e-Guide.

Special features in the guide include how to create first-class VIP experiences at iconic venues such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flemington and Melbourne & Olympic Parks, and hot to weave a business event or itinerary program around one of Melbourne’s major events such as the Australian Formula 1™ Rolex Grand Prix.

It also provides information on the city’s new unique venues, an update on the city’s Accor properties; tips for hotels with twin-share rooms to consider; and product and venue ideas to take a business event to the next level.

“We’ve received positive feedback on the first e-Guide’s useful content, easy-to-read layout, accessible design and itinerary mapping ability,” says  Julia Swanson, chief executive officer, MCB. “Melbourne is constantly evolving, innovating and adapting to meet new needs in the business events sector. Since launching the first edition last year, the e-Guide has become an essential planning tool, encouraging both planners and delegates alike to rethink their next visit to Melbourne.

“Both event planners and delegates will also find the e-Guide’s interactive map, used for researching and creating custom itineraries, a fantastic way to uncover all the exciting offerings available during, pre and post the business event,” she adds.

The embedded interactive map in the e-Guide allows event owners, planners and attendees to seamlessly plan their trip and create custom itineraries for site inspections, delegate tours and pre-and-post conference travel, with the aid of videos, images, 360-degree experiences, product descriptors and hyperlinks.

With geographic location and category search functions such as Eat, Play, Relax, Conference and Caffeinate, the map is an effective way for users to determine how to make the most of their time in Melbourne. It even provides real-time directional features accessible via mobile phones to help them through the city.

Melbourne eGuide’s top features are:

• User-friendly accessible design that can be read on desktop, tablets or mobile devices
• Intuitive navigation, short and relevant content layout that can be easily shared
• Plan your trip and activities by a geographic and category searchable interactive map
• Tools to create custom conference and event participant tours and itineraries, including a real-time directional feature accessible via mobile phones

Tourism Australia supported the launch of the Melbourne e-Guide via its Business Events Advance Program which partners with industry on activity that aims to increase the number and value of international business events for Australia.