Northern Territory Business Events (NTBE), the official convention bureau for Australia’s Northern Territory, has long recognised the value of showing planners how the Northern Territory’s portfolio of unique destinations, attractions and experiences can be practically and effectively incorporated into a business events programme.
The vast Northern Territory (NT) offers uncrowded, wide-open spaces and multi-sensory experiences for international business events. Key business event destinations include Australia’s most northern capital city, Darwin, while further south, the desert landscapes of Central Australia are home to the quintessential outback town of Alice Springs and world-renowned icon Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Famils are the secret to NT’s success
The generous hosting of familiarisation tours, site inspections and even virtual online visits during Covid lockdowns, has been a proven winning strategy for NTBE, with attendees inevitably being won over by the NT’s truly unique offerings.
A recent collaborative famil programme staged in Darwin by NTBE and more than 26 of their industry partners overwhelmingly convinced a group of corporate incentive planners and professional event management companies that the NT is truly ‘different in every sense for business events’.
Eva Nelving, senior project manager with FCM Meetings and Events effectively summed up the reaction of the group, the majority of whom had not previously visited the NT. “From beautiful outdoor dining to amazing local entertainment options including inspiring storytelling, excellent conference facilities and a vibrant city – all of these make Darwin an unforgettable destination for a conference.”
The four-day famil programme included site inspections of key business event infrastructure including accommodation and meeting venues, as well as escorted visits to attractions like the CBD-based Crocosaurus Cove and nearby Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, both of which frequently feature in business events programmes.
A stunning outdoor dinner showcasing NT cuisine at the adjacent Mindil Beach Casino Resort was preceded by a warm ‘Welcome to Country’ delivered by representatives of the local Larrakia People, before the famil group viewed a spectacular overwater sunset for which Darwin is renowned. The resort’s expansive and lush lawns provided the perfect venue for a post-dinner ‘surprise’ element which was presented by the team from award-winning Katherine Outback Experience and their stable of horses and working cattle dogs. In addition to highlighting Darwin’s appealing climate for the staging of alfresco events, the evening showcased just how ‘different’ an NT business event can be.
Outback NT within easy reach
Another highlight of the famil programme was a full day tour to Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp, located approximately 1½ hours from Darwin by road but also easily accessible for a much shorter journey by air. The action-packed visit included close but safe encounters with some of Australia’s largest saltwater crocodiles, a leisurely cruise on the pristine Sweets Lagoon, air-boating across the floodplains and soaring aloft in helicopters.
The Camp also offers an exciting overnight glamping experience with ten well-equipped deluxe tents set up on wooden decks in a stunning outback wilderness setting.
Matt Wright is a global television celebrity who showcases the wildlife and natural wonders of the Northern Territory to more than200 million viewers around the world via his Wild Territory series which airs on Netflix. The show highlights Matt’s world in which he operates as a part-time conservationist and successful tourism entrepreneur. His Explore the Wild tours, which operate out of Darwin, present exciting insights into the NT’s unique landscapes via airboat rides, helicopter flights and other activities.
Jessica Harris from Australasian hardware company, Bunnings, spoke about her impressions of seeing Matt Wright’s unique operation in the NT for herself.
“Visiting Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp is something that I’m sure our incentive participants would definitely enjoy,” she said. “For me, being able to experience it in person was just amazing. As we aim to reward and incentivise, these experiences give people something they may have never done before.”
Airboating near Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp in the NT – (Image credit – Tourism NT & Daniel Tran) 
Dining under the stars at Mindil Beach Casino Resort 
Performers from The Youth Mill enhance breakfast on the lawns at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct 
Remote Laundries provide a meaningful CSR option for NT business events (Image credit – Aboriginal Investment Group) 
The team from Katherine Outback Experience deliver a unique taste of the NT 
The ‘Welcome to Country’ delivered by the Larrakia People of Darwin included a Smoking Ceremony 
Darwin Waterfront Precinct & the Darwin Convention Centre (Image credit – Tourism NT – Summersite)
A clean winner as a CSR option
The Northern Territory offers a range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities which can be easily integrated into a business event. Many of these relate to initiatives which seek to assist Aboriginal communities and disadvantaged youth, with NTBE able to facilitate introductions to key contacts, enabling planners to ascertain options that will deliver the best outcomes for both the local organisation and the client’s event.
During the recent visit to Darwin, the group of business event planners visited an onsite laundry service known as Remote Laundries, which aims to make a real difference to the quality of life, health and social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people through the provision of free laundry services in Darwin and at remote communities. The inspiring Boardroom presentation delivered by the organisation’s CEO and the opportunity to visit the facility was deemed by the planners to be a ‘must-include’ CSR element. The facility, one of three in the NT, is part of the core business of the Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG), an Aboriginal-owned corporation.
Planners indicated they would definitely encourage their clients to seriously consider including such meaningful and enriching NT experiences in their events.
“Another stand-out element of the programme that really surprised me was the visit to CSR component, Remote Laundries,”said Sandra Malone, an account manager with incentive agency 212F.
“I didn’t know what to expect and I was amazed by the great work they’re doing. Prior to coming to Darwin, I would never have thought to include it in an incentive programme. But after our experience, it’s something I’d definitely introduce as an idea to a client.”
Ancient learnings provide insights
One of the many ways in which international business events can connect with the Northern Territory’s 65,000-year-old living Aboriginal culture is by engaging with the traditional owners of the land to deliver a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony at the commencement of a business event.
In Darwin, spoken and sung presentations are shared by the Larrakia People who are the traditional owners of the land. A ‘Welcome to Country’ may also include a ‘Smoking Ceremony’ which involves the burning of a small pile of grasses, leaves, wood or bark to promote the protection and wellbeing of visitors. The haunting notes of a didgeridoo and clap-sticks being played during the ceremony can provide a profound enhancement to this very moving cultural experience.
There is a diverse range of other engaging Aboriginal cultural experiences in the NT which can include dot-painting sessions, didgeridoo lessons, cooking classes and cultural insight presentations.
Rebecca McCaig, director of Northern Territory Business Events spoke about how invaluable it is to show planners how easily they can enhance their event with a unique NT attraction or experience.
“The experiences and activities that we include on our famil programmes aim to provide genuine opportunities for meaningful and genuine connections to our iconic land, our people and the world’s oldest living culture which dates back over 65,000 years. We feel these things matter more than ever in today’s world and will enhance the professional and personal outcomes of any business event staged in the NT.”
Rebecca also recommended international planners review the significant support available via the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund, administered by NTBE, which provides a minimum AUD$100 per delegate to organisers of qualified meetings, conferences and incentives.
For further information on business events in the NT, visit www.ntbusinessevents.com.au
NTBE is a Government, non-membership convention bureau organisation. It provides independent, impartial advice and information for planners and facilitators of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions in the Northern Territory (NT).
