Smaller or lesser known destinations have achieved some pretty amazing things for events. Can Australia's Northern Territory surprise and wow event planners who've seen it all? It certainly wowed the Australian Event Awards & Symposium for Parrtijima – A Festival in Light, which awarded Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) the Best Regional Event this year.
Tim Watsford is the CEO of NTMEC, joining the business events tourism industry from a cricket and rugby background. Over the past 18 months, Tim has led the NTMEC team in new directions as they navigate an events sector profoundly affected by COVID-19 restrictions. The result has seen the team successfully deliver several large-scale major events in the Territory that have attracted national and international attention, and record attendance numbers.
Quotes from Episode:
"If you haven't been to the Territory, you'll never experience what we have to offer... Everything from chasing the elusive barramundi all the way to the river systems in the Top End . Kakadu National Park has to be seen to be believed."
"We've got a very starved industry that wants to get back in and get in big. I'll be quite honest, there are some challenges for us coming into next year. We hope we've proven what the territory can offer."
"The two lessons I've learned as a CEO or leader is, one, people are your most important asset... I've learned that in droves and two, back yourself."
-Tim Watsford
Don’t miss:
-How moving from the big city life to the Northern Territory was transformational
-There's more to discover in Australia's Top End than crocodiles.
-Why events in the NT thrived during the pandemic.
-Leadership lessons managing a transient staff.
Tim's resource recommendation:
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek (and anything by Simon Sinek).
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn: Tim Watsford
Connect with Adelaine / Sign up for her newsletter:
Email: uponarrivalpodcast@gmail.com