Australia. Twenty-five key conference decision makers and meeting planners recently took time out to experience what Australia’s newest convention destination had to offer. In a four day action packed itinerary, participants travelled from Australia’s capital cities to see why Darwin was quickly becoming a destination of choice for association, corporate and government meetings.
Executive Officer for the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sybil Cumming is considering Darwin as an option for one of their future congresses that draws over 500 participants. “Since the opening of the Darwin Convention Centre, we have heard so many good things about Darwin, this was the ideal forum to experience it for ourselves. After this weekend, we will definitely be placing Darwin on the table for a future Asia Pacific or National meeting”, commented Ms Cumming.
The Meet Darwin participants were welcomed by CEO of Tourism NT, Maree Tetlow during the educational business sessions, with interactive discussions on the latest trends and issues affecting the meetings industry today, plus some informative presentations on why Darwin is the ideal destination to hold future meetings. The itinerary also covered an exhibition of 35 local Darwin convention industry suppliers, accommodation site visits, offsite venue inspections and optional tours to showcase the business events potential of this dynamic tropical harbour city.
It was the “incredibly relaxed and welcoming environment” that Darwin exuded that captured the attention of Cath Healy, Executive Manager Events for the Institute of Public Administration Australia. “I was surprised by the close proximity of everything and the ease with which large scale events can obviously be organised. For me, the informative business sessions were excellent and the exhibition gave us the chance to talk with a variety of local suppliers that had particular relevance to our business,” commented Ms Healy.
One of the highlights was an exclusive catered event at one of Darwin’s iconic venues, the Deckchair Cinema. Jimmy Shu of Hanuman Restaurant fame prepared exotic dishes showing the multi-cultural local flavours of Darwin whilst watching the sunset over the harbour, prior to the actual movie screening under the stars in traditional sling back deck chairs. Delegates were accommodated at the newly opened Vibe Hotel adjacent to the Convention Centre, visited the evening Mindil Beach Sunset markets, got up close and personal with the local habitat at Crocosaurus Cove and the Territory Wildlife Park, enjoyed an evening sunset cruise on one of Australia’s largest harbours, before a five-star dining experience at the Darwin Convention Centre (DCC).
Managing Director of Promaco Conventions, Don Pearce said what really surprised him was the enthusiasm of the staff at the NT Convention Bureau, Convention Centre and all supporting facilities. “The hotels were first class. The quality, convenience and picturesque location of the Convention Centre also impressed me, I would rate it on par with any other venue in Australia,” quoted Pearce.
NTCB’s Manager, Lynn Fairbrass said this is the second time that Meet Darwin had been held in partnership with the Darwin Convention Centre. “We are delighted with the quality of the clients attending who have the potential to bring more than 13,000 delegates to the region from 2010 and beyond,” said DCC’s Business Development Manager, Carrie Altamura.
