THE Northern Territory is known as the home of some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, including pristine wilderness and iconic landmarks, but it is the region’s emergence as a popular business events destination which is at the forefront of its next evolution as a truly iconic Australian destination for all types of travellers.
The Territory’s innate strengths include specialist health sectors, agribusiness and aquaculture, land management, renewable energy, mining, oil, gas, education, defence, creative industries and tourism. Expertise in these fields, combined with the Territory’s stunning backdrop and unique experiences provides a compelling setting for business events, as well as the local know-how to engage delegates. An exciting experience for delegates can be achieved on-site at conference facilities, but off-site as well, with the opportunity to participate in socially responsible and sustainability-minded activities leaving event attendees feeling as if they have made a difference.
“We know that business events visitors are inspired by our destinations, which all provide a range of different sensory experiences to enhance events. We also know these experiences have the potential to motivate planners to stage their business events in the Northern Territory,” said Northern Territory Business Events Director Rebecca McCraig.
“Whether in Darwin, Alice Springs or Uluru, our light festivals add immense value to the delegate experience which not only inspires successful business outcomes, they also provide invaluable opportunities for interaction with our culture, seeing our stunning natural assets and encouraging return visitation whether it be for business or leisure.”
While not as full as the calendars of Sydney or Melbourne, the Northern Territory’s major events lineup is unique. In fact, the Territory’s distinctive events can often rival those offered in the larger southern Australian cities. One such event is Bruce Munro: Tropical Light, a 2.5-kilometre lights display through downtown Darwin and the waterfront, which opened to the public on 1 November this year and will be displayed through to 30 April 2020. The relationship between the Territory and the internationally renowned artist began with a Field of Light display at Uluru in 2016, which visitors can continue to experience until the end of December 2020. Alice Springs’ answer, Parrtjima, is held annually, with the next in April, putting a spotlight on the oldest continuing culture on Earth through the only First Nations-inspired display of its kind.
Perhaps one of the best reasons to consider the Northern Territory for a business event is the Northern Territory Business Event Support Fund (NTBESF). The fund is part of the Territory Government’s Turbocharging Tourism initiative, which has to date seen a total of $9.33 million invested into attracting more national and international business events to the region.
“Turbocharging Tourism underpins our NT Business Events Support Fund, which offers financial assistance of $100 per-delegate to organisations at the consideration or bidding stage of planning their business events,” said McCraig. “The fund demonstrates our commitment to increasing the number of business events being staged in the NT which have the potential to deliver significant flow-on benefits and legacies in our destination.”
