Australia’s Northern Territory is divided into two distinctly different regions. Home to capital city Darwin and World-Heritage listed Kakadu, the country’s largest national park, the rich, green northern region enjoys a tropical climate. Meanwhile, the desert-like landscape of the south has a semi-arid climate, where you’ll find landmarks such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Alice Springs.
Darwin is known for its expertise in a range of health specialities which include critical care, emergency management and trauma response plus rural and remote delivery. Its Menzies School of Health Research has been internationally acknowledged for its work in Indigenous health and tropical medicine. Catering for up to 1,200 delegates, the Darwin Convention Centre is situated overlooking the harbour.
Australia’s most famous outback town, Alice Springs, provides an additional satellite meeting or technical tour option, just a two-hour flight from Darwin. Its Desert Knowledge Australia facility showcases state-of-the-art solar energy research and development projects for which the NT is renowned. Iconic Australian organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air provide scope for educational off-site visits for groups.
The Northern Territory’s other economic and social strengths lie in agribusiness, land management, mining, education and defence. The list of priority industries – the ones for which the NT seeks to attract conferences – has recently been expanded and now encompasses thirteen very diverse sectors, including tourism, creative and maritime industries, digital technologies and space. It hardly comes as a surprise that the NT will welcome prestigious future events such as the 2022 DevelopingEM Conference, the International Foster Care Organisation Conference 2022, the 2023 International BioIron Society Congress, the 2023 World Melioidosis Congress and the 2023 World Conference on Ecological Restoration.
Industry sectors in which the Northern Territory excels can provide association planners with conference options such as offsite technical touring and field trips to urban and regional locations, access to local knowledge and NT-based expert speakers, as well as potential exhibitor and sponsorship support.
Planners looking to host events in the NT can benefit from the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund (NTBESF), with financial assistance of a minimum AUD$100 per delegate.
Priority consideration is given to conferences which align with the Northern Territory’s economic, industry and social strengths. To meet the criteria, the event needs to be at the consideration or bidding stage and yield a minimum 80% of delegates from outside the Northern Territory.
“There are compelling reasons why association planners should consider NT as a host destination for their conference,” says Rebecca McCaig, Director of NT Business Events. “It’s a safe and inclusive destination that offers an extensive range of industry and business sector strengths plus valuable support, from planning stages through to execution. Delegates can immerse themselves in our distinctive experiences, engage in meaningful ways with our local community and be enriched by our ancient Aboriginal culture.”
“We offer a truly remarkable combination of elements which ensure a conference held here will deliver outstanding personal and professional outcomes,” she concludes.
More information on the NT as a conference destination on destination.ntbusinessevents.com.au