Peter Savoff on Shaping Darwin Convention Centre’s Future
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29th Aug, 2024
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Darwin Convention Centre
With its unique combination of modern facilities and deep cultural roots, the Darwin Convention Centre is proving to be a sought-after venue for international business events. Under the leadership of General Manager Peter Savoff, the venue is at the forefront of Darwin's transformation as the city welcomes a suite of landmark projects. The upcoming redevelopment of the Darwin Waterfront, the Larrakia Cultural Centre and the Northern Territory Art Gallery will provide delegates with experiences beyond the traditional business event setting.In this interview, Peter Savoff reveals how these exciting developments, coupled with Darwin's connection to Australia's iconic Top End, are helping to establish the Darwin Convention Centre as a must-visit destination for international associations. With stunning natural landscapes and immersive cultural opportunities, the Centre offers truly memorable experiences for international event planners and delegates.
The upcoming Darwin Waterfront redevelopment, along with the Larrakia Cultural Centre, Northern Territory Art Gallery and new Darwin Convention Centre Hotel, promises to transform the region. How will these projects strengthen Darwin's status as a top international business events destination?
Darwin is emerging as a destination that international associations are increasingly considering for hosting their global business events. Plans for the Darwin Waterfront redevelopment, along with the construction of a Larrakia Cultural Centre, Northern Territory Art Gallery, and the new Darwin Convention Centre Hotel, are incredibly exciting news for the region and our business events industry. These developments will further enhance Darwin’s appeal as a premier international business events destination, and these projects will bolster the city’s infrastructure and enrich the experiences available to delegates while attending events in our vibrant city.
The Larrakia Cultural Centre and the Northern Territory Art Gallery are set to provide additional options for offsite business events social activities, allowing delegates to easily engage with local culture and art. The Darwin Convention Centre Hotel, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will be a game-changer for conferences being hosted in the region, providing conveniently located, upscale accommodation directly adjacent to the Convention Centre. Once completed, delegates will be able to enjoy seamless access to their events, enhancing the overall conference experience.
Can you share some of the exciting milestones achieved so far?
With most of these major projects due to be completed in the next two years, several exciting milestones have already been reached. The initial construction phases for the Larrakia Cultural Centre and the Northern Territory Art Gallery are well underway, while earlier this year, the Northern Territory Government and CEL Australia signed a project development agreement for the Darwin Convention Centre Hotel. The new hotel is a key part of the master plan to redevelop the Darwin Waterfront Precinct into one of Australia’s leading integrated lifestyle and tourism destinations. It will offer a further 236 rooms under the Momentus Hotels brand, to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers.
Looking ahead, how do you see these infrastructure projects shaping the future of the Darwin Convention Centre and the Northern Territory's business tourism landscape? What long-term benefits do you anticipate for the local economy and community?
The future looks bright for Darwin and our world-class Convention Centre. With continued investment in the Northern Territory, the region’s business tourism landscape will only continue to evolve and grow. In the long term, these projects will attract even more conferences and delegates, which will, in turn, benefit the local economy through increased tourism, job creation and business opportunities.
Could you share with us insights into the Darwin Convention Centre's experiences for business events, highlighting the outstanding outdoor experiences?
The Darwin Convention Centre offers unique experiences for business events, combining exotic outdoor experiences with excellent service. Our location within the resort-like setting of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct allows delegates to relax and enjoy the leisurely Darwin ambience with more space to think and time to concentrate on the conference agenda. Darwin’s year-round tropical weather also provides conference organisers an excellent opportunity to host onsite outdoor events at the Darwin Convention Centre. The Centre’s outdoor Harbour Boardwalk area is perfect for informal functions. A ‘night markets’ themed event can easily be set up with interactive street food stations catered by our incredibly talented culinary team. This format is perfect for conference organisers who want to enhance networking opportunities for their delegates while taking advantage of Darwin's serene waterfront setting and balmy evening breezes.
Other popular outdoor bookable spaces include the Frangipani Plaza with its beautiful waterfront views, and the Centre’s extensive Porte-Cochere (Garawa) space, which frequently hosts receptions, cocktail parties and gala dinners for up to 1,000 guests.
Situated on the traditional lands of the Larrakia people, our team also works closely with local Aboriginal organisations and Traditional Owners to offer meaningful and enriching cultural activities for business events. These ceremonies may include opening a conference with a ‘Welcome to Country’ and traditional ‘Smoking Ceremony’ or participating in a Larrakia Saltwater Ceremony in the nearby waterfront lagoon. The Centre also offers its signature ‘Seven Seasons’ dining experience, inspired by the Larrakia seasonal calendar, which incorporates local tastes such as mango, wattle-seed, Kakadu plum, mud crab and barramundi, with the option to add audio and visual elements for a fully immersive cultural experience of the senses.
What are the key upcoming events in the pipeline at the Darwin Convention Centre that would be of interest to international association executives?
Health is one of the Northern Territory’s strongest industry sectors and, as such, attracts global business events to the region. This October, the Darwin Convention Centre looks forward to welcoming the 10th World Melioidosis Congress to our venue. This event will draw on the local expertise of the Menzies School of Health Research, which is hosting the event. With its headquarters based in Darwin, Menzies is one of Australia’s premier health and medical research institutes, committed to improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Menzies is also a world leader in research on tropical health, malaria, melioidosis and tuberculosis, with their work also addressing critical issues such as cancer, kidney and heart disease. The upcoming congress is expected to attract around 350 delegates from around the world for the three-day programme.
Next year, we look forward to hosting the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Quadrennial Congress, where global healthcare professionals, researchers and educators dedicated to neuroscience nursing will convene to network and gain insights on their field's latest research and advancements.
With easy access to Asia by air, how does Darwin serve as the perfect launch pad for exploring Australia's Top End natural landscapes and cultural heritage for event attendees?
When it comes to pre- and post-event activities, Darwin, in the Top End of Australia, offers an unparalleled experience. Many first-time delegates find that the unique experiences offered are some of the best they've ever had. The city offers many attractions, including authentic Aboriginal art and culture, scenic dinner cruises on the harbour and a strong military history. Visitors can enjoy barramundi fishing, explore exquisite pearl boutiques, browse beach markets and catch a film at the open-air cinema – all within a short distance from the city.
Darwin is also an ideal starting point for exploring the broader Top End region. Nearby, Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks offer some of Australia’s most stunning World Heritage landscapes, featuring waterfalls, clear swimming holes, bushwalks and diverse bird species.
Image of the proposed Larrakia Cultural Centre. Designed by Rossi Architects in collaboration with Susan Dugdale & Associates
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Supported by the Union of International Associations (UIA), the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and the Interel Group, the global public affairs and association management consultancy, Headquarters Magazines serve the needs of international associations organising worldwide congresses.
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