Merging into a single conference has been a success for Kennards, allowing the organisation’s managers to meet and network with colleagues.
Challenges
The cost of hosting a conference in Alice Springs was initially thought to be a potential challenge but, once preliminary figures were put together, it compared favourably with previous destinations.
Flight schedules and seat capacity into Alice Springs were the biggest challenges for event
planners. The programme was organised around these limitations with an extra day added to the event to allow for extended departures.
The venues and staff from the Northern Territory Convention Bureau, Alice Springs Convention
Centre, Lasseters Hotel Casino, Alice Springs Desert Park and Cobb & Co Coaches contributed
to make the conference a success.
Execution
The conference was conducted in a workshop format, which enabled branch managers to
interact and participate. Off-site functions and activities were held at Alice Springs Desert Park,
Red Centre Dreaming and Oooraminna Station Homestead, all of which provided a strong
flavour to the conference.
A tailor-made outdoor teambuilding activity was provided for the group at Desert Park. The aim was to encourage managers to work together as a national team rather than compete as individual offices.
Verdict
Steve Jose, national training systems manager at Kennards Hire says: “I have organised a
number of conferences over the years and, sadly, too often I come across operators who are too quick to advise me what they can’t do, rather than the reverse.
“From the first time I visited Alice Springs to check out its viability as a destination, everyone I met was friendly, helpful and pleasant. The organiser was flexible and had a ‘we can do that’ attitude.”
