Darwin has been announced as the successful destination to host the World Conference on Ecological Restoration 2023.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s NT Business Events and the Darwin Convention Centre partnered with the local host organisation, the Society of Ecological Restoration Australia (SERA) to secure this global conference to be held in Darwin.

The Society of Ecological Restoration advances the science, practice and policy of ecological restoration to sustain biodiversity, improve resilience in a changing climate, and re-establish an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture. 

With members in more than 70 countries and 13 regional chapters worldwide, SER’s global network represents the world’s foremost source of scientific and practical expertise on the repair of degraded ecosystems.

The conference will be staged at the award-winning, world-class Darwin Convention Centre and is anticipated to attract between 800 – 1200 delegates from around the world, generating approximately $2.72 million for the Territory economy.

Business events inject more than $38m annually into the Northern Territory economy. 

The Northern Territory Government’s Long-term Business Events Strategy to 2030 aims to guide the growth of the NT business events sector over the next 10 years and beyond. It includes the NT Business Events Support Fund which offers financial assistance to eligible organisations considering the Northern Territory as the location to host their business events. 

Quotes from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade CEO, Shaun Drabsch:

“This is a coup for the Territory and will promote Darwin as a competitive, distinctive and meaningful destination to stage global business events of this calibre.

“The Territory experiences for delegates are truly different in every sense and the department is pleased to partner with the Darwin Convention Centre to secure this competitive bid for Darwin.

“Our work delivering the investment to attract business events has already secured 94 business events that are expected to welcome over 25,000 delegates and deliver an estimated $63 million in delegate expenditure into our economy.”

Quotes from Darwin Convention Centre General Manager, Peter Savoff:

“The Darwin Convention Centre is proud to have collaborated with NT Business Events and the Top End business events community to present the winning bid to bring the Society for Ecological Restoration 2023 World Conference to Darwin.

“We are delighted to be chosen as the host venue and look forward to welcoming delegates to Darwin and our world-class Centre to network, share knowledge and enjoy our vibrant multicultural city and unique Top End experiences.”

Quotes from Society of Ecological Restoration Executive Director, Bethanie Walder:

“We were delighted at the success of this year’s virtual event. It enabled us to try new approaches and engage a more diverse audience. And we are very excited at the opportunity to meet once again in person, in Darwin. 

“Through a hybrid approach, we will bring the best of the online format, together with the unique advantages of an in-person event to maximize the value of networking with peers, and the ability to share knowledge with the global restoration community.” 
 

Media contact - Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade - 0409 640 859