CIM NEWS MAGAZINE Issue 3 2018 | Page 20

NORTHERN TERRITORY Connect the dots The Northern Territory continues to see strong growth in aviation connections from domestic and international carriers, promising positive business event conditions in 2018 and beyond. Meet Darwin is now in its 10 th year, marking one of the most successful initiatives to attract future conferences to the Top End capital and Darwin Convention Centre. “Our city offers strategic access to and from Asia via direct aviation services, excellent business and industry connections, unique Top End experiences, a stunning waterfront, year-round tropical climate, and a warm, friendly culture,” says the Centre general manager Janet Hamilton. “Darwin and our world-class 1200- seat convention centre are the perfect combination in a destination which delivers highly effective business event outcomes.” A group of 11 event planners from the association, corporate and not-for-profit sectors recently discovered how very supportive Darwin industry, business and government leaders can be when business events come to town. ‘Meet Darwin’ provided participants with insights into some of Darwin’s leading organisations such as the globally-recognised National Critical Care & Trauma Response Centre, a specialised training facility which also provides a rapid response to incidents that pose significant health threats. Its strategic geographic location makes it Australia’s first responder to major onshore and offshore incidents. The group’s visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility in Darwin also provided invaluable background on Darwin’s history, the role played by the city in WWII and the crucial ongoing service provided by Australia’s unique and iconic flying doctor service. In addition to the cultural dinner at the Darwin Convention Centre, delegates dined at Darwin restaurant venue, Pee Wee’s at the Point, which has recently undergone a million dollar renovation and expansion. Darwin has also welcomed a new boutique hotel in the heart of the CBD, with Darwin City Hotel offering a suite of 83 standard, deluxe and superior-style rooms. Darwin’s George Brown Botanic Gardens is also to undergo a $9.9 million facelift, with a new multi-purpose visitor and event centre to be built. It will offer indoor, air-conditioned, all- season facilities and will be available for small conferences and events, with interpretive materials leading visitors INSPIRING DESTINATION No1 Consider a rewarding NT combination for your next incentive event. 20   Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 3, 2018    www.cimmagazine.com