Darwin Showcase 2023 flaunts the NT

Darwin’s capacity to provide a meaningful and inspiring business events destination was recently on display when a group of planners experienced how the Northern Territory is genuinely ‘different in every sense for business events’.

Darwin Showcase 2023 is delivered each year to align with the Darwin Festival which also incorporates the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the National Indigenous Music Awards and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards. The visiting group attended several of these events and gained invaluable insights into how the NT’s suite of vibrant annual festivals can enhance the delegate experience.

Darwin Showcase is a familiarisation program hosted by NT Business Events, in collaboration with their Darwin industry partners, and the attending PCOs, corporate planners, association and event management company representatives were clearly impressed.

Lynleigh Renee McPherson, Director with The Connected Curator spoke highly of what she found in Darwin.

“The NT has the most amazing and unique experiences that are life-changing. The location is the perfect melting pot for team building and giving guests the space to think and create true connections. I had such a positive experience that it is truly my favourite location as a destination to recommend to clients.”

A visit to Remote Laundries in Darwin’s outer suburbs was highlighted by planners as an impressive component of the famil. The free laundry facility, one of four which operate in the NT, forms part of the core role of the Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG), an Aboriginal-owned corporation which seeks to build strong and healthy communities. The AIG CEO Liz Morgan-Brett, a highly-accomplished former Olympian athlete, addressed the group & spoke passionately about how Remote Laundries are making a significant difference.

The four-day Darwin Showcase featured site inspections of key business events infrastructure including accommodation and meeting venues such as the Darwin Convention Centre. There were also visits to attractions like Crocosaurus Cove and Mindil Beach Sunset Market, a cruise on Darwin’s harbour and a gin-blending class utilising NT-sourced botanicals.

Dining highlights included a dinner at the award-winning Wharf One Food and Wine restaurant at the vibrant Darwin Waterfront Precinct, a beautifully catered picnic luncheon in the lush tropical 42-hectare George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and a dinner on the lawns at Mindil Beach Casino Resort, with a guest appearance by the team from the Katherine Outback Experience.

Rebecca McCaig spoke about the Darwin Showcase concept and its impact.

“This year’s Darwin Showcase program highlighted the many ways in which events and festivals can enhance a business event held in the NT,” she said. “We’re fortunate to experience these distinctive events first-hand and have an opportunity to enrich our business events visitors’ experience and their connection to the land, the people and the ancient culture.”

(Featured Image: A garden picnic was part of the Darwin Showcase program – NT Business Events)