Business Showcase
Introduction
The Business Showcase is an integral component of the Symposium, allowing businesses, NGOs, community organisations, and agencies supporting economic and community development and research from across desert Australia to promote their products and services and collaborations with local and interstate partners. It will be a hub of activity for the three days. All the delegates' lunches and morning and afternoon teas will be held in the centre of the Business Showcase, providing delegates with plenty of opportunities to meet with exhibitors, and find out their story.
On the Tuesday afternoon, exhibitors have been invited to be part of an interactive program, giving delegates the opportunity to take part in hands-on activities, practical sessions and workshops. On Wednesday we will welcome in local businesspeople, in collaboration with the NT Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Connect, featuring a speed networking program. On Thursday we will have a program specifically geared towards local school and tertiary students. On this day the business showcase will have a different feel, with exhibitors being encouraged to tell their story - how they set up their business, what training and experience they needed to work in their current role - to provide a picture for the students of the different learning and skill development pathways people have travelled, to help students increase their understanding of different careers / livelihoods.
Booths
The Business Showcase presents an excellent opportunity for those who are looking to build their networks with businesses and organisations in desert regions. Among the 40 plus booths you will find partners of Desert Knowledge Australia, Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre and the Desert Peoples Centre, regional partners and businesses involved in Desert Knowledge Australia Cross Border Business Networks Project, a number of booths which 'tell the story' of a desert collaboration, the organisations of many of the presenters at the Symposium, opportunities to interact with exhibitors and get involved in some hands-on activities - particularly on Tuesday afternoon, and gifts to take back home as memories of your time in Alice Springs and of the Desert Knowledge Symposium and Business Showcase.
The Meeting Place
Over the three days, presentations, demonstrations and informal conversations will take place here at The Meeting Place. There will also be meetings of cross border business networks, and some opportunities to meet with Symposium presenters in an informal setting. A number of meetings and events are now confirmed and exhibitors are currently arranging times for demonstrations and informal presentations. There will also be limited 'open mike' sessions over the three days. Visit The Meeting Place to check the noticeboard for what's on.
The Exchange Cafe
Grab a cappuccino or a macchiato made from locally roasted coffee and take a seat at The Exchange Café to share some desert knowledge or do some desert business! It is also a place to relax and reflect or to chat with new and old friends. Internet access will be available.
The Big Screen
A program of films and images supplied by Desert Knowledge Australia, Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre and the Desert Peoples Centre and a number of desert-based screen content producers will feature in the Business Showcase. All screening will be edited footage taken at the previous days' of the 2008 Desert Knowledge Symposium and Business Showcase - filmed and edited onsite.