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While many services for the organisation and management of meetings are handled in-house by my company, we also recognise a need to develop and maintain good partnerships with other suppliers. This is all the more important when one is operating in a relatively remote location as was the case for the 5th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD5) held at Alice Springs recently. As is the ISPPD tradition the 5th ISPPD was held in an exciting location with great significance for pneumococcal research, Alice Springs. Aboriginal children in central Australia experience a high rate of invasive pneumococcal. With a complex scientific program to be managed, the logistics of a remote location and an important social component, we were the professional conference organisers pulling all the pieces together. Our registration target was 350-400 and all outcomes were exceeded when actual numbers reached 628. Representatives came from an amazingly diverse 62 countries.

Due to the logistics of managing the program in Alice Springs, a close working relationship with the Northern Territory Convention and Visitors Bureau was called upon when the delegate numbers grew rapidly at the last minute in an effort to source another seven hotels. We have developed strategic partnerships with hotels and convention bureaux over many years and it was these solid relationships that we called upon when the demand occurred. The social program included a welcome reception at the Desert Park which incorporated animal exhibits at sunset and a traditional aboriginal presentation. There was an official conference dinner at the convention centre, an outback Aussie Bush BBQ, a delegate soccer match (Australia vs the World) and a dinner with traditional music in an outback setting. The tours options were sold out and included camel rides, Alice Springs tours, aboriginal community tours, Uluru and “Top End” experiences. The feedback from our clients, the organising committee and many of the delegates was uniformly positive, with the team effort credited with the overall success of the event. We never lose sight of the fact that these meetings play an essential role in scientific progress and the battle against disease. Having them exceed all expectations is our small, yet significant, contribution.

Roslyn McLeod is the founder and managing director of Tour Hosts, a Sydney based conference and event management company.