Alice Springs will be promoted as a unique business events destination this week when 20 national business events planners from across Australia take part in the 2016 Alice Stampede.
The four-day program kicks off today and will highlight Alice Springs’ offerings to business event planners from association and corporate organisations while connecting them with local business event suppliers and operators.
“Business event attendees will spend an estimated $43 million this year in the Northern Territory making this tourism sector a valuable contributor to our economy,” said Department of Tourism and Culture CEO Alastair Shields.
“Currently in its fifth consecutive year, the Stampede has resulted in business events that have generated an estimated $8.8 million in visitor spend for Alice Springs.
“The program is designed specifically to boost Alice Springs’ profile as a vibrant and unique destination for business forums and conferences.
“The Stampede will also give business event planners first-hand experience of the world-class facilities, venues, accommodation and services that Alice Springs has to offer and encourage them to choose the Red Centre for their next big conference or event.”
The Alice Stampede is organised in partnership between the NT Convention Bureau and the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
As part of the program, local Alice Springs tourism operators and business event professionals will be able to network with attendees at an industry networking lunch on Friday at the Alice Springs Convention Centre. A business session featuring local industry experts will strengthen the business case to host a business event in Alice Springs.
Other highlights include visits to key business events infrastructure, accommodation, off-site venues and experiences such as hot air ballooning, basket weaving and a visit to the Desert Park to enjoy the inaugural Parrtjima – a Festival in Light.
Thinking outside the box is in Alice Springs’ heart and soul and its history of ingenuity, from the Royal Flying Doctors Service to the world-leading solar energy developments of today, make it an ideal location for business events.
“As a meetings destination, nowhere else marries professionalism and state of the art technology with such a rich Indigenous cultural heritage and spectacular natural scenery like Alice Springs,” said Mr Shields.
The Alice Stampede is designed to attract more business events to the NT and is part of the Northern Territory’s Tourism Vision target to build a $2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.
The Stampede is held in Alice Springs from 22-25 September. For more information on holding business events in the Northern Territory go to: http://www.ntconventions.com.au/
ENDS
Media Contact: Lisa Andrews, Corporate Media and Communications Manager +61 401 115 634