DiffereNT in every sense
ebecca McCaig , director of Northern Territory Business Events ( NTBE ), says that NT saw the return of international conferences in 2022 with the successful staging of two prestigious health sector conferences – the International Foster Care Conference and the DevelopingEM Conference , both of which were held in Darwin in September 2022 .
A busy calendar of business events is confirmed for 2023 and beyond , McCaig adds , saying the level of confidence demonstrates a clear desire for people to physically connect . “ While some organisations continue to innovate and engage members through hybrid and other formats , there ’ s nothing quite like experiencing a business event , and a destination , in person ,” she says , adding : “ Conferences staged throughout the Northern Territory consistently exceed organiser and delegate expectations . The capacity to acquire knowledge , exchange ideas , renew existing business relationships and develop new ones can never be under-valued , along with visiting new and inspiring destinations like the Northern Territory that can deliver so much more .”
It would seem the NT is looking at a busy year of international conferences in 2023 – these include :
• 2023 World Aquaculture Conference – May 2023 ( Agribusiness sector )
• International Water Association – Health-Related Water Microbiology Symposium – June 2023
• 2023 World Community Development Conference – June 2023 ( Health sector )
• 25th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation – July 2023 ( Technology )
• Ninth Congress of the International Society for the Study of Iron in Biology and Medicine – August 2023 ( Health sector )
• 10th World Conference on Ecological Restoration - September 2023 ( Land Management )
Further ahead , the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Quadrennial Congress ( will be staged in Darwin in 2025 . On how business has changed compared to pre-Covid times , McCaig says a major effect of Covid-19 has been the global shift in organisational culture to become more people-oriented and wellbeing focussed , with a desire for business events to provide a genuine connectionto-place .
Strategies for the bureau in this ‘ new normal ’ include NTBE continuing to build upon its positioning , ‘ Different is every sense for business events ’, which , says McCaig , has never been more relevant . “ We believe our NT destinations and experiences offer extensive scope for profound personal and professional outcomes that encourage delegates to disconnect from their hectic everyday routines and find renewed energy for the future .
“ We ’ ll continue to competitively position our iconic landscapes , nature-based experiences and strong connection to culture . The many ways in which business events delegates can engage with and connect to our 65,000-year-old Aboriginal culture showcase how the Northern Territory is true to its positioning . ‘ Welcome to Country ’ ceremonies and cultural performances by traditional landowners , engaging experiences such as dot-painting classes , didgeridoo lessons , cultural insight workshops , music and performance are among the many ways delegates in the NT can be enriched on a personal level .”