The Northern Territory’s ConveNTions Walkabout ’16 roadshow has wrapped up a successful roadshow, visiting Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne last week.
Attracting more than 150 qualified event planners, guests enjoyed the opportunity to hear the very latest news from the NT.
The event saw professional conference organisers and event planners, as well as representatives from the corporate and association sectors meet to discuss the region’s MICE offerings.
A number of attendees were past clients seeking options for a new event in an alternative NT destination, whilst others were newcomers to the NT keen to learn as much as possible, gather ideas and make new contacts.
Tricia Mahoney from Inhouse Event Solutions has brought a number of events to the NT, in particular Darwin this year and has another large client event planned for November next year in Alice Springs. She sees great value in attending the NT ConveNTions Walkabout roadshow and was pleased to see the event held in Brisbane again this year – she indicated that it was well worth the drive from her Noosa office to Brisbane.
“There’s always something new to see, as well as product updates to receive and I really welcome the chance to update my destination knowledge and add to my NT contact network,” she said. “Every time I attend these events, I walk away with a fresh perspective on this amazing and inspirational destination.”
Organised by the NT Convention Bureau (NTCB), the eighteen NT exhibitors included convention centres, hotels and resorts, off-site venues, attractions, specialist suppliers, activity, cruise, tour and transport operators.
A number of the exhibitors were participating at their first Walkabout event and included Alice Springs-based event company Alice Event Management and Consultancy.
Darwin operator Nautilus Aviation revealed their luxury helicopter tours, transfers and heli-fishing for adventurous groups. Novotel Darwin Airport and Mercure Darwin Airport Resort were keen to spread the word about their new names and facilities, having previously been Rydges-branded properties. SEIT Outback Australia updated planners about their new Uluru tour, an experience not previously possible, which allows groups to explore Uluru family-owned land with a local guide.
The NT had selected cutting-edge culinary venues in each host city, with innovative cuisine including Mindil Beach Markets-style food stations in some locations. A clever photo-booth wall was set up where guests could pose in front of a selection of spectacular NT images as a keepsake and for posting on social media sites.
Those in attendance had the chance to win prizes of flights for two people to the NT, with lucky prize winners very excited at the prospect of seeing the NT for themselves.
As has become a tradition with ConveNTions Walkabout, the event once again included a CSR partner. For 2016, it was NT-based not-for-profit organisation Helping People Achieve, which includes skills and job readiness training amongst the suite of invaluable services that it delivers for Territorians with disabilities.
In lieu of NT gifts being distributed to guests at the events, the NTCB and its partner exhibitors made a generous donation to HPA. One of HPA’s core enterprises is AusDesigns, which produces Indigenous fabric design conference bags, gifts and merchandise. Attractive ‘uniquely NT’ name-card lanyards featuring these designs were provided for guests on arrival at each Walkabout function, receiving many complimentary remarks.
