Wilkinson wows Walkabout

The Northern Territory’s Conventions Walkabout ‘15 roadshow held last week saw more than 150 participants at events in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

PCOs and event planners were joined by representatives from the corporate and association sectors to get all the latest news from the Top End, with 19 NT exhibitors including convention centres, accommodation providers, attractions, off-site venues and activity, tour and transport operators.

Lucky door prizes of handpainted art pieces from the Alice Springs-based Talapi Art Centre were up for grabs as lucky door prizes, while three NT adventures for two to Alice Springs, Uluru or Darwin were also won.

The lucky trip prize-winners included Jo Morgan from the Australasian Hepatology Association in Adelaide, Peta Demery of Aussie Home Loans in Sydney and Sisilia Tjiandra of Australian Tours Management in Melbourne.

The events also included guest appearances by Channel 9 TODAY show host Lisa Wilkinson, who has been associated with the NT for 18 months as an official “Mate of the Territory” Ambassador.

She spoke about her own experience of discovering the NT (above) and highlighted the destination as “a place where long-lasting memories are forged and engaging business events are staged”.

In lieu of gifts for participants, a generous contribution was made by the NTCB and its participating industry partners to Territory based non-profit group Helping People Achieve.

NT Convention Bureau executive director of business & events, Suzanne Morgan, said the roadshow had enabled invaluable engagement with key markets.

“The anecdotal feedback I’ve received from planners and our exhibitor partners so far would suggest this has been one of our most successful roadshows ever.

“We look forward to converting this strong interest into confirmed future business for the NT,” Morgan said.