A group of conference planners representing a diverse array of associations and organisations, many with a health sector focus, have recently discovered for themselves why the multi-award-winning Darwin Convention Centre and the Top End of the Northern Territory present such a strong appeal for business events.
The annual ‘Meet Darwin’ gathering was an industry-led initiative, hosted by the team from the Darwin Convention Centre in partnership with NT Business Events.
“We were delighted to once again partner with Darwin Convention Centre on the ‘Meet Darwin’ program,” said Rebecca McCaig, Director of NT Business Events.
“We greatly value this partnership and often see how venue and destination appeal can contribute to record attendances at business events held in the NT, especially for the association sector.”
The Convention Centre’s recent rebranding “Space to Think” and NT’s “Different in every sense for business events” were creatively showcased in every aspect of the four-day program.
Commencing with a guided site inspection of the expansive Centre, followed by business sessions and a ‘Meet the Market’ event with 15 local Darwin supplier companies, the program provided participants with a broad appreciation of the destination’s many assets.
These included the renowned Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, beautiful Litchfield National Park, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility, cruising on the harbour with Sea Darwin and coming face to face with some of the NT’s most unique residents at Crocosaurus Cove.
A strong cultural theme prevailed throughout the program, enabling participants to forge a genuine connection with the Larrakia Peoples, traditional landowners of the Darwin region. A moving ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony on arrival day set the scene, with the program also including the Convention Centre’s impressive Seven Seasons Dinner, a Larrakia Saltwater Ceremony at the Waterfront Lagoon and a bushfood-inspired breakfast at Parliament House.
Anne Romanjuk, Event Coordinator at the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy shared her ‘Meet Darwin’ experience.
“As a result of participating on ‘Meet Darwin’, I now know that Darwin has many great facilities and things to do, with so many options very close by. I was really impressed by the location and the philosophy behind the breakfast on the Speakers Green terrace at Parliament House, the stories behind the Seven Seasons Dinner at the Darwin Convention Centre and especially the Saltwater Ceremony at the Waterfront lagoon, which also provided a great Indigenous cultural connection.”
“The Darwin Convention Centre has great functionality and with accommodation and a multitude of dining options in such close proximity, there’s no need for transfers or transport, as it’s all within walking distance.”
‘Meet Darwin’ participants were accommodated at the Adina Vibe Hotel which is located at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, just a short and convenient stroll to the Convention Centre.
“The ‘Meet Darwin’ program has always been one of our most successful initiatives and we were pleased to stage it again in 2022”, said Peter Savoff, General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre.
“Darwin and our award-winning, world-class convention centre have established an impressive track record for hosting highly successful national and international conferences. Based on the glowing feed-back received from this year’s event planner participants, ‘Meet Darwin’ has served to well and truly enhance that reputation. We confidently anticipate that this year’s outcomes will see a number of new association events heading to Darwin to meet in our Centre and enjoy everything that the NT has to offer.”