Where the living is easy, fish are jumping and the conferencing is green
The dynamic city of Adelaide, situated west of where the cotton is high on the Australian continent, seems to have struck it lucky in many respects. Blessed not only with a mild, mediterranean climate and the flattering reputation of being cultured and inspiring, its fortunate citizens also benefit from a value-for-money ratio that allows them to maintain a pleasant and easy-going existence in a safe and clean environment close to a deep-blue sea brimming with resources. Adelaide also throws the frequent mouth-watering feast or festival, lushly catering to the gourmet side of life, and is thus rightly considered South Australia’s undisputed capital of fine cuisine and a good drop of wine here and there. Renowned wine regions – such as the Barossa – are a mere stone’s throw from the city.
A close encounter with nature is to be had on Kangaroo Island approximately 100 kilometers off-coast, home to a fauna some of which is indigenous only to and associated with Australia – with name-giving Kangaroos skipping, Koalas dreamily munching away on sappy Eucalyptus leaves, Penguins waddling Chaplin style or Platypuses* just being busy looking weird. Port Lincoln (a brief hop by air), on the other hand, serves as a spacious playground for JAWS – the Great White Shark and its cousins, is inhabited by an abundance of tasty Coffin Bay Oysters and stomping ground for schools of slippy Southern Bluefin Tuna – whose welfare is safeguarded by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT). The intergovernmental organisation’s objective is to ensure, through appropriate management, the species’ „conservation and optimum utilisation“. The present list of members comprises Australia, the European Union, the Fishing Entity of Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and South Africa.
Meet South Australian Tuna …
… or Kangaroos happily skipping around …
… and always look on the bright side of life!
Moving, shaking and constructing
In recent years, the destination has been experiencing a boost of infrastructural enlargement and improvement. The Riverbank Precinct underwent a dramatic revitalisation in order to create a modern hub for Adelaide. It incorporates new research, health and medical centers, educational institutions, sport, entertainment, convention and event facilities. The measure also included the expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre, which today offers 20,000 s.qm of multi-purpose space just 15 minutes away from Adelaide International Airport.
The ACC and a continuing environmental commitment
Adelaide’s claim to being the “greenest conference destination in Australia“, is corroborated by its Convention Centre’s EarthCheck Gold status awarded in 2014 (after conquering the prior hurdles of bronze and silver). The venue underwent a rigorous audit process over five years in a row to gain the coveted gold certificate. Next target: platinum! To reach that ambitious goal, the center has to undergo ten years of seamless benchmarking. www.adelaidecc.com.au
Getting around is easy
Adelaide is a walkable city and proud of its rapid airport-to-city transfers. It ranks top amongst Australia’s most affordable capitals and stands for fair hotel rates. When it comes to accommodation, delegates are offered a wide range of options – from budget to five-star. Some 3,500 rooms alone are available within a five minutes’ walk from the ACC and the main precincts, a proximity that saves time and helps cut transfer fees substantially.
„If you haven’t been, you’ve just got to come – and bring your conference with you“, says Adelaide. www.adelaideconvention.com.au
Source: a free creative commonshttps://commons by wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Platypus_4.jpg
“The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate hoax. It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.”
Photos by the courtesy of South Australian Tourism Commission/Adelaide Convention Bureau/Adelaide Convention Centre
Header photo: Copyright Blackman Gallery