Health Sector Chooses Darwin

The multi award-winning Darwin Convention Centre has long identified the health sector as one of its strongest source markets for business events.

The Centre recently hosted a group of association conference planners, many of whom represented health organisations such as the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the Australian Psychological Society and the Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians.

‘Meet Darwin 2022’ was jointly hosted by the Darwin Convention Centre in partnership with NT Business Events. The event coincided with the staging of the Spine Society of Australia (SSA) 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting which provided an excellent showcase of the Convention Centre’s capacity and capability as a venue for national medical conferences.

More than 320 delegates, sponsors and exhibitors participated, with the trade show component comprising the equivalent of 68 standard display booths.

The SSA Executive Committee experienced the Darwin Convention Centre’s stunning Larrakia ‘Seven Seasons Dinner’, with a menu inspired by the Gulumoerrgin (Larrakia) seasonal calendar. Dishes included mud crab tian, crocodile terrine, kangaroo dumplings and NT barramundi complemented by river mint, wattle seed, Kakadu plums and quandong gel. Each course was introduced by sound and vision explaining the different seasons and the cultural tone enhanced by live music and performances delivered by local organisations, The Youth Mill and the NT Dance Company.

One of the Spine Society conference organisers from DC Conference and Association Management (DCC&A) had joined the ‘Meet Darwin’ familiarisation when it was staged in 2021.

Jo Robinson, Business Development & Sponsorship Manager with DCC&A, talked about how her participation had assisted with the SSA Conference in 2022.

“It was invaluable in helping us fine-tune so many aspects of the conference and exhibition organisation and logistics, as well as planning the social program,” she said.

“I extended my stay in Darwin last year so I could meet with additional suppliers and seek out special elements to enhance the conference. I was delighted to find how well situated the Darwin Convention Centre was in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct — accommodation, dining and entertainment all in such close proximity.”

For over 30 years, DCC&A has successfully managed hundreds of national and international conferences and specialises in the not-for-profit, medical and healthcare sectors.

Darwin is a popular choice for health industry conferences, with NT offering specialisations in remote and rural health, trauma and emergency response, tropical and Aboriginal health. Darwin’s capacity for interesting offsite technical tours, locally-based speakers and specific expertise enhances that appeal.

One of the ‘Meet Darwin’ participants, Anne Romanjuk from the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, met with local contacts while in Darwin.

“‘Meet Darwin’ was an awesome experience!” she said. “For me, there was the added bonus of meeting with industry contacts at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital, to gain their insights and perspective and get them on board for technical tours and site visits, with the prospect of our conference coming to Darwin.”

The Darwin Convention Centre is set to host more health sector conferences this year including the Australian College of Nursing National Forum and the Australasian College of Dermatologists Meeting, both scheduled for August. In September, DevelopingEM and the International Foster Care Organisation Conference will be held and October sees the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Drugs Scientific Conference come to town.

“Darwin and our award-winning, world-class convention centre have established an impressive track record for hosting highly successful national and international conferences,” said Peter Savoff, General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre.

“Based on the glowing feed-back received from this year’s event planner participants, ‘Meet Darwin’ has served to well and truly enhance that reputation.”

For more information, visit www.darwinconvention.com.au.