Australian Society of Anaesthetists National Scientific Congress 2024
6-9 September 2024
4-day
congress program.
600+
delegates.
20
breakout sessions.
About the congress
The 2024 Australian Society of Anaesthetists National Scientific Congress (ASA NSC 2024) converged in Darwin from 6-9 September at the Darwin Convention Centre, the largest congress and events facility in the Northern Territory.
As part of the congress program, a series of social events were organised at waterfront locations and local venues around the palm-fringed city to showcase the destination and support the wider community.
The overarching theme of the congress: Engaging, Enhancing, Evolving, was a key driver in creating dynamic content aimed at fostering innovation and pushing boundaries within the specialised field of anaesthesiology.
The ASA NSC 2024 scientific program was held over four days in curated spaces throughout the Darwin Convention Centre, hosting a series of lectures, plenary sessions, masterclasses, workshops, and practice evaluations led by both international and Australian experts.
Creating a few light-hearted moments throughout the congress, attendees were both entertained and educated by the well-known comedian and ophthalmologist Dr Glaucomflecken, also known as Dr Will Flanary, who spoke about the use of social media as an educational tool and sparked laughs from the audience with his on-stage personalities and experiences.
The program’s local highlights included a presentation by Dr. Brian Spain on the Northern Territory’s response to the 2002 Bali bombings, and critical care aeromedical retrieval service CareFlight also participated in the program, showcasing their helicopter simulator in the exhibition area.
Activating spaces to think
The Darwin Convention Centre was selected as the host venue due to its state-of-the-art facilities, flexible meeting spaces, and stunning waterfront views.
Arinex’ Manager, Event Delivery, Amy Buttery, who led the team as the professional conference organiser (PCO), said the infrastructure of the destination is one of the most important considerations when it comes to choosing a location to cater for a large congress.
“The Darwin Convention Centre has what we needed to deliver ASA NSC 2024 – an exhibition hall, a big plenary, extensive breakout rooms, and a dedicated team of staff on hand to ensure support was available throughout the event,” she said.
One of the concepts the team worked through to deliver was a new idea for the delivery of the workshop program, transforming Hall 3 and 4 into a centralised hub of 20 break-out education spaces.
“It was the first time the congress explored this delivery format for the NSC, which allowed us to condense the program into a single day of sessions,” Buttery said.
The collaborative approach between the events company, the Darwin Convention Centre and local suppliers enabled effective problem-solving, including providing power to the various setups and installing movable walls to create an education hub.
Community and sustainability initiatives
ASA NSC 2024 prioritised its sustainability objectives by focusing on delivering an event that made a positive social impact and reduced its environmental impact on the destination. Throughout the delivery of the congress, a range of green solutions were implemented to promote sustainability and minimise environmental impacts.
Name badges were made from recyclable paper and clipped to recycled bamboo lanyards and delegates were encouraged to return their badges after the congress for recycling.
Local suppliers with sustainable social and environmental practices were prioritised, and direction was given not to use single-use items, including coffee cups, exhibition materials, delegate collateral, and plastic water bottles.
To reduce paper usage, printed materials were replaced with digital versions, including onsite signage and a mobile app provided day-to-day program updates and sponsorship information.
Families were accommodated with a parents’ room at the Convention Centre that offered online access to presentations, along with a Kids Save Lives workshop teaching basic first aid to children.
Adding to the sustainability objectives, the Darwin Convention Centre is designed with energy efficiency in mind, and has earned several awards and certifications, including AIPC Quality Standards Certification and the EarthCheck Bronze Benchmark for environmental sustainability.
A world-class congress destination
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists National Scientific Congress 2024 was a significant milestone for the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, as it celebrated its 90th anniversary.
ASA NSC 2024 focused on fostering networking and collaboration while leveraging Darwin’s offerings as a world-class congress destination.
These included a welcome reception at Wharf One at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, a committee dinner at Charlie’s of Darwin in the CBD, and a gala evening at Pee Wee’s restaurant located within East Point Reserve.
Social program outings involved a cocktail making class at Charlie’s of Darwin, an Introduction to Aboriginal Art seminar, as part of the annual National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory – all capped off with a family evening at the iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market.
The congress was well attended with the added allure of so many wonderful social function locations accessible from the Darwin Convention Centre.
“We’ve had really nice feedback with the social program being a huge success. Darwin is a sought-after travel destination, known for its unique location which consistently receives positive feedback,” Buttery said.
During the planning stages, Buttery expressed how there was a real sense of camaraderie among local suppliers, who went above and beyond to achieve a common goal and ensure the best possible outcome for the event.
“You’re in safe hands while you’re in Darwin.”
In their words
“Hosting the ASA National Scientific Congress at the Darwin Convention Centre was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The venue provided the perfect balance of professionalism and warmth, creating an environment where our delegates felt both welcomed and inspired.
From the initial planning stages, the team at the Darwin Convention Centre demonstrated exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of our event was seamlessly executed. Their expertise and commitment to excellence made what could have been a complex process feel effortless. They were proactive, accommodating, and always willing to go the extra mile to meet our needs—nothing was ever too much trouble.
The venue itself is truly world-class. Nestled along the stunning Darwin waterfront, it provided a picturesque setting that our attendees absolutely loved. Inside, the facilities were modern, spacious, and equipped with state-of-the-art AV technology supported our team, allowing our scientific program to be delivered seamlessly.
What set the experience apart, though, was the people. The warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality of the Darwin Convention Centre team made all the difference. Their dedication ensured that our Congress was not only a success but also a pleasure to run.
We would highly recommend the Darwin Convention Centre to any organisation looking for a premier conference venue. It was an absolute pleasure to work with such a fantastic team, and we look forward to returning in the future."