The award-winning Darwin Convention Centre (managed by ASM Global) in Australia’s Northern Territory enjoys access to some of the world’s most spectacular and iconic landscapes, along with a rich and ancient Aboriginal culture. Now, it’s looking forward to exciting future developments. In its 15th year of operation, the Centre is celebrating the 2023 milestone by achieving record-breaking figures, including for participation of delegates at several prestigious international conferences. 2024 is also anticipated to be a promising year, with upcoming conferences and events estimated to attract approximately 20,000 national and international participants, along with the much-anticipated attendance of the Centre’s one-millionth delegate. Global conferences on the horizon for the Centre in 2023 and beyond reflect many of the city and region’s impressive industry and professional specialisations. These include those in agribusiness, mining, resources, and health. For example, local expertise in remote and rural health, trauma and emergency response, tropical health, renal treatment, and Aboriginal health have contributed to the Centre’s popularity, with the destination offering scope for offsite technical tours, access to Northern Territory-based expert speakers and significant support. In addition to the recent World Aquaculture 2023 Conference, which reflected the Northern Territory’s buoyant agribusiness sector by attracting over 1,300 attendees, other international events coming to the Centre in 2023 include:
- International Water Association – 21st Symposium on Health-related Water Microbiology (June)
- 2023 World Community Development Conference (June)
- The Joint Australian New Zealand Intensive Care Society Safety & Quality Conference/ International Society Rapid Response Systems Conference (July)
- Ninth Congress of the International Society for the Study of Iron in Biology and Medicine (August)
Award-wins and coming developments
The city’s reputation as an impressive conference destination was recognised in 2022 when the Darwin Convention Centre took Gold in the category of ‘Best Business Event Venue in Australia’ at the Australian Tourism Awards. This accolade was in addition to gaining sixth place globally at the AIPC Apex Awards – which measures client ratings of 350 venues in more than 40 countries. The Darwin Convention Centre spans 23,000 square metres and offers flexible event spaces including:
- An Auditorium with tiered seating for 1,200 delegates
- Four column-free halls
- Three top-level Waterfront Rooms
- Four additional meeting rooms.
Its strategic location within the vibrant Darwin Waterfront Precinct ensures accommodation, dining, parklands, and entertainment are right on the Centre’s doorstep – with the city’s CBD also a short walk away. Adding to the city’s significant appeal and building upon the existing accommodation portfolio, redevelopment plans for the Darwin Waterfront Precinct will include a new 250-room hotel directly adjacent to the Centre and with spectacular views across the harbour. Other elements of the Precinct redevelopment will include a surf park, tropical snorkelling lagoon, pools, and additional fine dining options which will further boost the delegate experience.
Aboriginal cultural experience featuring performers from The Youth Mill
(Image credit – Tourism NT & Tourism Australia)
Cultural opportunities delivering memorable engagement
The Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Darwin region are the Larrakia (Saltwater People) and the Darwin Convention Centre is situated on their land. The Centre has developed a close relationship with the Larrakia, who are renowned for the strengths they bring to cultural performance, music, and art. Their presentation of a moving and meaningful ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony ensures that delegates can experience genuine engagement with an ancient Aboriginal culture dating back over 65,000 years, setting an impressive tone for the duration of the conference. Conference delegates can also participate in a Larrakia Saltwater Ceremony in the nearby Darwin Waterfront Precinct Lagoon. Participants are invited to step into ankle-deep water on the lagoon shoreline, with the officiating Larrakia Aboriginal Elder inviting them to establish a connection to the land and gain invaluable cultural understanding. Participation in these inspiring ceremonies and activities is frequently noted by delegates as one of the outstanding features of their Darwin conference experience. The development of an AUD$40m Larrakia Cultural Centre next door to the Convention Centre will further enhance this interaction. Expected to be completed within the next two years, the Cultural Centre will create a permanent place for the Larrakia people to share, celebrate, and showcase their rich Larrakia Country, language, culture and knowledge to delegates attending a business event in Darwin. Darwin’s cultural offering will be further bolstered by the opening of the Northern Territory Art Gallery in 2024. With four high-ceilinged large galleries, a spacious foyer, and dedicated program spaces, the Gallery is anticipated to provide another fascinating cultural venue option for events and incentives. 
Increased aviation and ongoing destination support
Direct international flights service Darwin International Airport and with a flight time of just four ¾ hours, it is Australia’s closest city to the crucial aviation hub of Singapore. With Singapore Airlines planning to ramp up flight frequency between Singapore and Darwin to five services weekly from July 2023, there will be greater capacity for seamless connections. The Darwin Convention Centre’s appeal as a host venue is complemented by the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund which provides funding assistance to organisers of qualified meetings, conferences, incentives, and exhibitions. Funding support operates on a seasonal scale, commencing at AUD$100 per delegate and increasing up to AUD$200 per delegate. Priority consideration is given to business events which align with the Northern Territory’s economic and social strengths. “The award-winning facilities of our world-class convention centre, the excellent support provided by the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund, the cultural engagement opportunities plus our amazing landscapes and experiences are all contributors to our Centre’s outstanding success,” said Peter Savoff, general manager of the Darwin Convention Centre. “We’re delighted to have achieved so much in the fifteen years we’ve been in operation, and the forecast for 2023 and beyond indicates an even stronger future awaits. We look forward to sharing this success with our clients and ensuring their business events deliver outstanding results.” For further information, visit www.darwinconvention.com.au
