Twenty one years after the completion of the Adelaide Convention Centre as Australia’s first purpose-built meetings and events venue, the launch of the DCC completes the push to give all Australian states and territories at least one dedicated convention and exhibition centre in each capital city.
The opening of the centre was attended by the general managers of most of the other centres, including Leigh Harry of Melbourne, the current President of ICCA, the world’s peak body for the association meetings sector. A former president of ICCA, Pieter van der Hoeven, and long time GM of the Adelaide Convention Centre was also present, as was his successor at Adelaide, Alec Gilbert, formerly of ICC Durban.
The designers of the sleek oyster-shaped and corrugated iron-finished centre have created a landmark for the new 25 hectare waterfront development in Darwin, one which connects the city with its harbour in an imaginative way. The DCC is the first major element to be completed and in coming months it will be complemented by two hotels (Vibe and Medina), a wave pool, cruise ship terminal, parklands, restaurants and residential apartments. A walkway will extend from downtown Darwin and the city’s hotel area to the centre, making it an easy 10-15 minute stroll to the centre.
The Northern Territory government was keen to ensure a good measure of “community buy-in” to the new asset and a four day program of “open house” and entertainment was put in place with almost 20,000 locals (over a quarter of the city’s population) visiting the site. A team of water ski daredevils entertained the crowds around the harbour and there were fireworks as well.
The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, was on hand to heap praise on Malu Barioss, the general manager of the DCC. Her team has already generated some 35 national and international meetings for the venue, bringing 20,000 delegates to Darwin. Henderson said the impact for a relatively remote destination like the Northern Territory would be positive and profound.
“We can measure the number of delegates through our doors, but we’re sure that many of them will see the level of energy in the top end and will return to their companies and recommend investment here. There’ll also be other professionals who will have a taste of our lifestyle and lack of big-city pressure and be tempted to relocate here and contribute to the growth of our community.”
The function included a traditional “welcome to country” dance and song by the local Larrakia people, an event which is steadily part and parcel of conference openings around Australia. The opening remarks took place in the auditorium, at the end of which the drapes opened to reveal an elegantly themed banquet space.
ABOVE: A night to remember at the gala opening.
A high energy 10-minute laser show featuring a performance artist who used laser projection from around the room and under his feet to remarkable effect was a big winner.
The use of a Channel Nine “celebrity” as MC proved less than an inspired choice, but comedian Fiona O’Loughlin, the haunting indigenous music of Geoffrey Yunupingu and the effervescence of headline act Vanessa Amorosi provided proof positive that Darwin could put on a party with the best of them.
The DCC is being operated by AEG Ogden, who currently have responsibility for the Brisbane Convention Centre, the Cairns Convention Centre and an increasing portfolio of centres in the Middle East, Asia and India.
The centre comprises a 1500-seat auditorium which is divisible into two sound proofed areas. The design allows the auditorium to open out directly into the four exhibition halls, to a total of 4000sq metres. There are a further 12 function rooms, all with good access for audio-visual and catering services. The AV and catering is provided in-house.
The DCC has secured a major conference in the 2009 Australasian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference, which will bring some 1300 delegates to town. The centre’s first major commercial event was a wedding reception for 1500, celebrating the wedlock of two of Darwin’s most prominent Greek families.
The winter “dry” season is arguably the optimal time to visit Darwin and the DCC has plenty of space surrounding for pre-function drinks and smaller dinners overlooking the waterfront.
Of course, it takes more than a convention centre to make a convention town and Darwin certainly has plenty to sell as a meetings destination. There’s a good supply of hotel accommodation, with more to come. The place has been booming economically in recent years and this has put some upward pressure on room rates. Meeting planners may well be advised to look at the “wet” season if they’re wanting rock bottom prices for their events. The locals all swear it’s the best time of year and that the build-up to the cooling afternoon electric storm is well worth experiencing.
The Mindil Markets are a Darwin institution and operate during the dry months of May to October. Some 250 stalls are usually in place on the lawns adjacent to Mindil Beach, where thousands gather for a usually magnificent sunset. Then it’s time to high foot it to the stalls where Darwin’s enormously multi-cultural community offers a seemingly endless array of fine fare – Thai-oysters, Philippine chicken, Sri Lankan curries, salt & pepper squid, French-style crepes, sushi and much more.
Conference groups can have tables set up and delegates issued with “Mindil Money” which they can spend on food, drinks or the arts and crafts on offer. There’s live music and it’s one place where locals and visitors can easily share space.
Darwin’s newest attraction is Crocosaurus Cove, an extraordinary place in the dead centre of town where Australia’s largest live reptile collection can be observed. There are a number of large tanks where huge live saltwater crocodiles are on display. The operators plan to make areas available for group bookings. I toured the complex before it was complete, but from what I saw, it’s going to be quite exceptional and a must for any visitor to Darwin. If anything demonstrates the Top End’s “can-do” attitude, this is it.
ABOVE LEFT: The stylish foyer area.
ABOVE RIGHT: Fireworks by howardsfireworks.com.au
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