Event details
Name: Axis Oceania Partner Summit 2023
Conference name: Axis Oceania Partner Summit 2023
Dates: 2-5 May 2023
Host organisation: Axis Communications
Organisation type: Network technology company
Number of delegates: 140 delegates
Delegate origin: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands of the Oceania region
NT location: Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
Conference venue/s: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Alice Springs
Event Overview
Axis Communications is a global network technology company which creates solutions for improving security and business performance that includes video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems. Axis was founded in 1984 and has approximately 4,000 employees in over 50 countries with its headquarters located in Lund, Sweden.
Attendees at the three-day Summit were partners, distributors and systems integrators, along with a number of the Axis Communications Oceania team.
The purpose of the Summit was to enable partner engagement and education, with presentations provided on product launches, new innovations and technologies across the Axis portfolio.
In addition to Axis Communications senior management and associated supplier presenters, the Alice Springs Council Mayor, Matt Paterson, also spoke at the conference.
Reason for selecting the NT & Alice Springs
By staging the Summit in Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT), delegates had the opportunity to enjoy an authentic outback experience.
Conference theme a perfect fit for the destination
The Summit’s theme of ‘True North’ was a perfect fit for the NT, which is one of Australia’s northernmost regions. The theme encompassed the subset tracks of ‘Connect, Collaborate & Learn – Innovating for a smarter, safer world’.
The Execution
The Summit conference sessions were held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs and five Summit sponsors also set up displays in the exhibition area. Summit attendees were also accommodated at the hotel whilst Axis staff stayed at the nearby Crowne Plaza Alice Springs.
The 2023 Partner Summit commenced with a Welcome to Country ceremony delivered by Aboriginal artist and Arrernte Elder, Kumalie Riley, with a traditional Aboriginal cultural performance also staged. The ceremony acknowledged the Arrernte as the traditional owners of Alice Springs and provided cultural consent for the Summit to be held on their lands.
Social program:
The dinner which followed the welcome function was uniquely staged al fresco on the helipad located at the rear of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs, overlooking the Alice Springs Golf Course, with catering provided by the hotel.
The Summit program provided leisure time for a range of optional activities. These included a visit to the nearby Alice Springs Golf Club for lawn bowls and practice sessions on the Driving Range. Another group visited the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, a short drive from the hotel, which were established in the 1950’s as a reserve for arid region flora by Miss Olive Pink. Here local Aboriginal artist Marie Ryder guided attendees through a dot-painting art class to create an ‘Axis vision-inspired’ artwork, to be placed in the Axis Communications office in Melbourne.
Other activity options included an escorted camel trek across the desert sands with Pyndan Camel Tracks and a visit to the Alice Springs Brewing Co. for tastings of the some of the local beer offerings.
In the evening, the group travelled to the Alice Springs Historical Precinct where an outdoor dinner under the stars was staged at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, established in 1871 to relay messages along Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line. Catering was provided by the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs and live music performed by local band Glenn & the Heartbeat Band. A highlight of the evening was ‘Galaxy Searching’, a star-gazing session discovering the crystal-clear outback night skies. This was delivered by local expert astronomer, Tom Falzon, from the award-winning Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, located just outside Alice Springs.
The Summit Gala Dinner and Partner Awards were staged at the Old Quarry which is located at the foot of the beautiful Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, just ten kilometres from the Alice Springs city centre. The soaring sandstone walls and rocky escarpment provided a memorable location for the final Summit evening in Alice Springs.
Live music was provided at the dinner by singer/songwriter Harrison Storm before the prestigious Axis Oceania Partner Awards were announced, which recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Axis Communications’ partners in the region. At the end of the awards presentation, a special acknowledgement of thanks was noted to local suppliers and NT Business Events for the assistance provided with the staging of the Summit in Alice Springs.
In their words
"The three-day experience in the Northern Territory truly embodied the essence of this year's event theme, 'True North'. Amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes and vibrant community spirit of the Northern Territory, our partners found a perfect setting to connect, collaborate, and learn.
From the immersive cultural ceremonies to the unique al fresco dinner and the breathtaking Gala Dinner at the foot of the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, every moment reflected the team's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality and creating an unforgettable event for all.”
Wai King Wong
Regional Director Oceania
Axis Communications
“The resounding sentiment among our guests was unanimous – this conference in Alice Springs stands out as one of the most remarkable they have ever attended. Against the backdrop of the Northern Territory's breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage, our experience went beyond the confines of a traditional conference. The entire experience, from start to finish, left our partners in a state of awe, as they were captivated by the sheer beauty of the city and embraced by genuine and positive hospitality. The conference was hugely successful thanks to the team at NT Business Events and staff at the Hilton, who made our lives so much easier and ensured the whole event ran smoothly."
Devyani Sharma
Marketing Manager Oceania
Axis Communications
A Welcome to Country and traditional cultural performance greeted Axis Summit attendees.