The NT Convention Bureau is set to host the Darwin Health Familiarisation program from this Thursday, 5 July to Sunday, 8 July 2018.

Department of Tourism and Culture Deputy CEO Andrew Hopper said the familiarisation program features Darwin business event infrastructure, health facility technical tours, leisure experiences and a business session designed to provide an overview of the economic, cultural and social drivers of Darwin, including the Department of Health priority areas.

“The 2018 Darwin Health Familiarisation program has attracted eight delegates from Childbirth, Early Childhood Care and Child Abuse Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Renal Health, General Practitioners and Medical Rehabilitation divisions based in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Cairns, with the majority of the group in-house event planners,” Mr Hopper said.

“This year’s program includes a hangar tour of CareFlight to gain insight into the operations of the business and how they deliver emergency and rescue services and provide innovative training to the medial industry.

“The delegates will also undertake a warehouse tour of the National Critical Care & Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) to learn about how the NCCTRC prepares Australian clinicians for deployment and local emergencies to a national standard medical disaster responder.”

The delegates will also learn more about the Territory’s strong Aboriginal culture with a Pudukal Aboriginal Cultural Tour and a bark painting workshop with Aboriginal Bush Traders, in addition to tours of Darwin-based attractions including a Sea Darwin cruise, a visit to the Mindil Beach markets, a Segway tour of East Point Reserve’s military sites and a visit to Crocosaurus Cove.

The Health Familiarisation program alternates between Alice Springs and Darwin each year and aims to attract 8-10 health conference decision makers each time.

An approximate delegate spend of $8.67 million has been generated in confirmed business through the previous three Health Familiarisations, with confirmed business events taking place between 2016 and 2019.  This has led to an estimated 3,050 delegates travelling to the Northern Territory.

The Business session on Friday 6 July at the Darwin Convention Centre is designed to showcase the innovation and knowledge of the NT relevant to the Health Sector and will include the following presentations:
- Michael Tennant, CEO of Dept of Trade, Business & Innovation – Doing business in the NT
- Catherine Stoddart, CEO of Dept of Health - The broader NT Health programs
- Brett Cowling, CEO of Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS) –Remote health care delivery
- Dr Kevin Williams, Program Manager at Menzies – School of Health Research –the ‘HOT North’ program
- Le Smith, Executive Manager Regional Partnership and Procurement, Northern Territory PHN –the PHN rollout in rural and remote areas

To learn more about the NT Convention Bureau and event support available visit ntconventions.com.au

Media Contact – Department of Tourism and Culture – 0428 052 647

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