Know Your Why - Then Sell it to Your Audience!

Rosie Fall, MEA's NT Chair, shares the insights delivered by the expert panel for the Northern Territory branches of MEA & PRIA (Public Relations Institute of Australia) last week in Darwin.

‘Understand what makes your event unique, sell that proposition and develop strong authentic relationships with the media’, these were just some of the insights delivered by the expert panel for the Northern Territory branches of MEA & PRIA (Public Relations Institute of Australia) last week in Darwin. The two leading industry organisations teamed up for an afternoon of shared learning and networking, including a thought provoking panel discussion on the importance of events within the communications mix.

Facilitated by Natalie Bell of Managing Director of AA&P Events, the panel included Paul Burke CEO of NT Farmers; Alex Bruce, CEO of NT Hospitality; Jane de Gault, Media and Communications Manager of NT Airports and Taneille Brann Events Consultant, the event attracted over 40 events and communications professionals.

Chair of MEA NT Rosie Fall said the discussion was a fascinating deep dive into how events can be a truly effective communications tool, with panellists providing diverse examples of how they each used events to engage, create connections, communicate and build relationships.

“It was great to hear such a variety of insights from our panel, representing diverse industries, and each using events differently, to communicate with their many audiences. Paul Burke from NT Farmers said that events provided a valuable tool for delivering sensitive and complex messaging for their members and industry. Jane from the Airport Development Group highlighted the importance of building a strong and respectful relationship with the media. There were great insights from all the panellists – too many to share!”

Navigating difficult situations was another topic discussed, and Alex Bruce from NT Hospitality took listeners through the sudden on-the-day cancellation of the 2021 Golden Plate Awards and how his organisation turned it into a feel-good story by quickly opening up a drive-thru food pick up from a nearby hotel so that the public could purchase the catering with proceeds being donated to charity.

The event concluded with some festive networking drinks, and a chance to meet mingle with friends, old and new. MEA NT and PRIA NT would like to thank NT Business Events and Darwin Convention Centre for sponsoring the joint event.