Client Testimonials

"Darwin has come so far. The evolution of the Darwin Waterfront combines with the new Darwin Convention Centre makes the city a very appealing location for convention organizers and delegates."

"For our organisation, it’s a great opportunity to have access to a large base of expertise and business potential in such a spectacular setting and venue."

"The quality of the venue and excellent services at the Darwin Convention Centre has brought the total Darwin conference experience to a new level."

Mark Chalmers
Conference Chair
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) International Uranium Conference
10 – 11 June 2009, 280 delegates

"The teamwork that the city of Darwin showed in welcoming APPEA made our 2009 event such a memorable experience. From the outset, we knew that the sheer size, scope of our event would create challenges for the new Darwin Convention Centre and the city’s infrastructure, but were absolutely thrilled with the result!"

Belinda Robinson
Chief Executive - Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Conference and Exhibition
31 May – 3 June 2009, 1,703 delegates

"This will be the first time in over 25 years that our annual conference has been held in Darwin. Our conference has continued to grow and there has not been a venue big enough to accommodate us since then."

"We will now add the Darwin Convention Centre to our national rotation and will be back here every few years. It’s a good size for us – we get a bit lost in some of the larger venues and are then too cramped in others. At the Darwin Convention Centre, we will be able to fill all of the convention space and still have the flexibility to grow the trade exhibition as necessary."

Dr Kersti Seksel
Past President – Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)
2009 AVA (Australian Veterinary Association) Annual Conference
17 – 22 May 2009
780 delegates + 200 trade

"Darwin and the Northern Territory have a whole new fan club. Many attendees had not been to Darwin before or had not been for many years. The positive spirit, the recent developments and the many tourism activities either experienced in or accessible from Darwin is something that was continually commented upon by the delegates."

"The Darwin Convention Centre worked beautifully for us; its size and flexibility were ideal for our event. The staff were also terrific to work with and went out of their way to ensure the success of the event."

John King
ATEC Chairman
2009 Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Symposium
29 April – 2 May 2009, 450 delegates

"The Northern Territory’s capital city is a new and exciting destination for conventions. It has this wonderful relaxed, care-free lifestyle, the professionalism and service levels were not comprised in any way. That is what makes Darwin so special."

"A lot of members have not been to Darwin and it adds new flavour and interest to annual congress programs. The waterfront location of the Darwin Convention Centre is superb and all suppliers are willing to assist in so many ways. We will be recommending other clients to consider Darwin for future events."

Sarah Smith
Associate Project Manager
Event Planners Australia’s (EPA)
13th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australian & New Zealand Annual Congress
19 – 22 April 2009, 690 delegates

"From an exhibition perspective, preparation is the key. It is so important that suppliers understand the complexities involved with coordination of such large events and the Darwin Convention Centre took the lead in this area."

"The Centre allowed the transport companies to deliver exhibitors’ freight and equipment several days before the start of the conference, in comparison with centres in some capital cities that will only accept deliveries on the day of the conference build."

Elisabeth Eaton
Director & Conference Manager Festival City Conventions
2009 Thoracic Society of Australian & New Zealand (TSANZ) and Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Scientific Meetings
3 – 8 April 2009, 890 delegates

"The Darwin Convention Centre Production team excelled in the areas of pre-conference planning, sound working knowledge of the venue and its overall running and displayed, strong communication & management skills amongst their team and to us the client."

"The personal approach made us feel quite special in every way, from the General Manager popping her head into the Conference dinner, to the IT trouble shooting and support, to the superb catering keeping that kept us well fed. It truly was a great team effort!"

Mark Stevens – Mark Itmedia
ISANZ Audio Visual Manager
2009 Thoracic Society of Australian & New Zealand (TSANZ) and Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Scientific Meetings
3 – 8 April 2009, 890 delegates

"With increased infrastructure developments such as new accommodation properties and the attraction of the Northern Territory as whole. Darwin is blossoming into a vibrant alternative for those looking to stage a meeting or an event in a new and exciting destination."

John Zaharakis
Head of Conferences & Events
28th Travelscene American Express Conference
14 – 17 November 2008, 400 delegates

"Darwin was an obvious choice to expose the latest research, techniques, development and education in areas of indigenous health, diabetes and tropical medicine amongst others."

"Our original target was 600 delegates, but the flexibility of the Convention Centre allowed us to accommodate larger numbers. We had almost a thousand attendees and more exhibitors that the previous year."

David Butt & Leisel Wett
CEO & Deputy CEO AGPN
AGPN2008 - Australian General Practice Network Forum
30 October – 2 November 2008, 1,000 delegates

"Our aim was to showcase the research and innovation in the vast landscapes and tropical savannah of the Northern Territory is fully transportable to similar climates throughout the world. And secondly, to build stronger links with development of space technology in South East Asia."

Dr Renee Bartolo
Conference Convenor and Past President of the Spatial Science Institute of Australia
14th Australasian Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry Conference (ARSPC14)
29 September – 3 October 2008, 340 delegates

"We were delighted attendance was above projections and exceeded sponsorship budgets, both in terms of numbers and revenue."

"Many delegates remarked that Darwin had all the services and facilities of a major city but in a relaxed tropical environment. The city has its own special character with the added bonus of being so close to Asia for international participants and provided a relaxed tropical atmosphere to encourage stronger networking opportunities."

"The staff at the Darwin Convention Centre have the right attitude and make everyone feel so welcome. The catering was top class, as good as any conference I can remember attending. Many delegates remarked on the quality of the food."

Steve Healy
Alumina Quality Workshop Chair & General Manager of Rio Tinto Research and Development International Alumina Quality Workshop
7 – 12 September 2008, 450 delegates

"The new Darwin Convention Centre is a wonderful facility – modern, sophisticated lines, clean uncluttered layout, well appointed, and what a view! The natural light and water views are a selling point on their own. Versatile for our needs, it fitted the size of our event really well, even with sharing the venue with another conference at the same time."

"The Convention Centre staff were extremely friendly and went above and beyond to ensure our requirements and expectations were met."

Susan Blake
Project Manager – Events
Event Planners Australia for the International Alumina Quality Workshop 2009
7 – 12 September 2008, 460 delegates

"The Darwin Convention Centre is second to none; in fact it was one of the best venues ever to hold our event. The food was excellent, the auditorium had great visibility, the audio visual and IT communications were outstanding. The Centre’s staff were informative, very friendly and polite and the location was magnificent, overlooking the crystal blue waters of Darwin harbour."

Dr Amy Ramsay
International President – International Association of Women Police (IAWP)
46th International Association of Women Police Annual Training Conference
6 – 11 September 2008, 540 delegates

"The annual ‘Festival of Food’ trade exhibition was the first ever event to be held at the Darwin Convention Centre and we have developed a strong bond with the Darwin Convention Centre team."

"We really do feel like we have been part of the Centre’s evolution and are so fortunate to have such a magnificent venue in our city."

Raelene Kearns
NT Regional Manager for Independent Grocers
May 2008, 1,200 attendees

‘With the outstanding assistance for our bid presentation from the Northern Territory Convention Bureau, the local Darwin Organising Committee are proud to host the biennial event in Australia’s most Northern Capital for the first time in its 29 year history. The ARSPC is the RS&P Commission’s premier conference showcasing the best of Australasia’s technical and application driven remote sensing and photogrammetry (RS&P) research.’

Mr Andrew Edwards
Conference Convenor
14th Australasian Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Conference (ARSPC)
September 2008, 500 delegates

‘Due to the growth of our annual conference, returning to Darwin was not possible until the development of the new Darwin Convention Centre. APPEA is very excited to be working with the local suppliers and convention bureau to give the delegates a real taste of Northern hospitality.’

Ms Julie Hood, Director of Events
APPEA Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Limited
May 2009, 1500 delegates

‘This will be the first time Darwin will be able to host the national Coast-to-Coast Conference, thanks to the opening of the world-class, Darwin Convention Centre. Its relaxed, waterfront location and ambience and proximity to the stunning coastal wetlands and diverse marine life of Darwin Harbour, will ensure that Coast-to-Coast 2008 will be an outstanding success.’

Dr Karen Edyvane
Australian Coastal Society Coast to Coast Conference
August 2008, 600 delegates

‘The choice of Darwin for our 26th NIBA convention recognises the need for a new and very different destination and provides easy encouragement for delegates to extend their stay and explore the wonders of the Top End. There’s already a lot of interest and we can’t wait to get there!’

Mr Noel Pettersen, Chief Executive
National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) Annual Conference
September 2008, 600 delegates

‘This will be the first time in 25 years that our annual Australian Veterinary Association conference will be held in Darwin. The Darwin Convention Centre will now be added to our national rotation and we’ll be back every few years. The size of the Centre gives us the flexibility to grow, as we expect Darwin, with all it has to offer, will be a great drawcard for our members.’

Dr Kersti Seksel, Immediate Past President
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conference
September 2008, 600 delegates

Darwin Convention Centre