Darwin presents a compelling proposition for conference and incentive planners who seek a destination that can inspire and engage the senses through new and meaningful experiences, whilst offering quality infrastructure and legacy options that leave an impact well beyond a business event.
The recent Darwin Showcase familiarisation program hosted by Northern Territory Business Events, in collaboration with their industry partners, consistently delivered on these aspects.
The four-day Darwin Showcase program included site inspections of key business event accommodation properties and meeting venues, visits to attractions such as Crocosaurus Cove and Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, and a taste of the award-winning show presented by Katherine Outback Experience.
A strong cultural theme prevailed throughout the program, enabling attendees to forge a genuine connection with the Larrakia People, traditional landowners of the Darwin region.
The ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony delivered by Saltwater Cultural Tours on the first evening set the scene. Day Two’s breakfast staged on the outdoor terrace of Speaker’s Corner at NT Parliament House was catered by the Karen Sheldon Group, which delivers an award-winning Future Stars Indigenous Employment Program.
The final picnic breakfast on the lawns of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct included a moving cultural performance by members of The Youth Mill, a program development service which aims to up-skill young Aboriginal people.
The group of corporate incentive planners and event management companies, many of whom had not previously been to Darwin, were delighted with what they discovered.
Association and Event Management Services director and owner Lee-Anne Harris, provided glowing feed-back on her Darwin Showcase experience.
“The final morning picnic breakfast at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct accompanied by a musical performance by artists from The Youth Mill was a lovely way to finish our time in Darwin,” Harris said.
“The famil provided me with a much greater appreciation of the possibilities that Darwin presents for a range of conferences of all types and sizes. It will be certainly be on my list of recommended conference locations for my clients.”
Other Highlights of the four-day event included a full day excursion to Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp, located approximately one-and-a-half hours from Darwin. The action-packed day included close encounters with some of Australia’s largest saltwater crocodiles, a cruise on the pristine Sweets Lagoon, air-boating on the floodplains and soaring aloft in helicopters.
Anther stand-out was the visit to Remote Laundries in the Darwin suburb of Casuarina which provided Darwin Showcase attendees with insights into one of many potential CSR inclusions which can be considered for business events staged in Darwin.
Darwin Showcase was scheduled to coincide with the 10-day Darwin Festival, which provided a lively parkland venue for the group to enjoy post-dinner refreshments under the stars. The expansive Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair at the Darwin Convention Centre was also being staged at the same time, enabling Showcase attendees to be immersed in this impressive annual 3-day cultural exhibition.
NT Business Events director Rebecca McCaig spoke about the Darwin Showcase concept and its impact.
“We know that Darwin can deliver an array of meaningful and multi-sensory experiences and this year’s Darwin Showcase has again helped to bring these into focus,” McCaig said.
“Business event planners attending the Showcase were able to experience for themselves a genuine connection to the land, the people and our ancient culture, leaving an enriching impression from both a professional and personal perspective.”
