By Ian Neubauer

The Darwin Convention Centre (DCC) has exceeded its sales targets for the 2008-09 fiscal year less than a month after it commenced operations.

The centre already has 43 confirmed national and international conferences on its books — 25 of which will take place in the current financial year.

They include the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Conference, which will see 1700 delegates convey at the centre in May 2009; the 1000-strong Australian General Practice Network Conference; and the 46th International Association of Women Police Conference, among others.

DCC business development manager, Carey Altamura, said the centre has solidified Darwin’s status in the international convention circuit.

“Darwin has always had a strong conference industry,” she said. “However, until now all the conference groups that come to the Northern Territory had to use hotel facilities instead of a purpose-built centre. Having a convention centre just expands on our facilities and allows us to expand the industry considerably.”

The DCC opened June 17. It features auditorium seating for 1500 people, 4000 square-metres of exhibition space, 12 function rooms, parking for 300 vehicles and complete F&B facilities. The centre is equipped with state of the art audio-visual and communication technologies as well as mobile staging facilities and 24-hour security.