Conference Name: 2024 Quest Franchise Conference
Host Organisation: Ascott Australasia & Quest Apartment Hotels
Organisations by type: Corporate
Number of delegates: 253 from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
NT location: Uluru, Northern Territory (NT), Australia
Conference venue: Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
Event Overview
Quest Apartment Hotels, a member of global company The Ascott Limited, is one of Australia's largest franchise businesses, with a network spanning more than 120 properties nationwide.
The future-focused Quest Franchise Conference staged at Uluru in 2024 brought together Quest franchise business owners, supplier partners, key executives, and corporate staff from across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for three motivating days.
Delegates gathered at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort at Uluru in Central Australia, the gateway to the extensive dual World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Sessions were staged at the resort’s conference venue, Uluru Meeting Place, with topics including strategic business vision, future trends in tourism and franchising, and global growth.
A unique destination for an unforgettable event
Uluru was selected as the host destination for this annual event due to the meaningful cultural connections available plus the breadth and depth of genuine experiences which could be undertaken, reflecting the conference theme of “leave a little differently.” Central Australia was also chosen due to it being an aspirational location which many delegates had long wished to visit.
With the conference aiming to create a strong sense of community amongst delegates and foster deeper connections, a diverse array of activities was part of the program. Cycling around the base of Uluru, a camel ride at sunrise and a guided cultural walk through the Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta were amongst those on offer to delegates.
Connecting with Country
The host destination of Uluru was a big drawcard for attendees with the conference program showcasing many of Uluru’s multi-sensory experiences which encompassed sights, sounds and tastes, delivering on the promise that the NT is “different in every sense for business events.”
The ancient culture and story-telling of the Anangu people, Traditional Owners of the region, provided an opportunity for Quest delegates to make a meaningful connection to Country. The conference opening ceremony was held at the award-winning Wintjiri Wiru, an outdoor drone, laser and light projection experience - the choreographed performance includes more than 1,000 drones taking flight with the desert sky and Uluru as a backdrop.
Territory speciality cuisine and Indigenous bush foods featured on the menu, whether for canapes, cocktails and gourmet hampers. Examples included lemon myrtle crocodile curry pie, cauliflower mousse tartlet with bush tomato pearls and wattle seeds and gin-infused cucumber with green ants and celery salt.
Another social program highlight was the #QuestFest dinner which commenced with sunset cocktails atop a dune beside the globally-renowned Field of Light, a breathtaking installation of 50,000 solar-powered light spindles illuminating over 49,000 square metres of desert. The festivities culminated in a vibrant alfresco desert party, featuring award announcements and live entertainment.
Leaving a light footprint at Uluru
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Quest Apartment Hotels partnered with Greenfleet, in order to offset the carbon emissions generated by the conference. This Australian not-for-profit environmental organisation focusses on protecting the climate by restoring native forests. This partnership offset 157 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to removing approximately 37 average-sized cars from Australian roads for one year.
The Quest team engaged with the local community by inviting the Yulara Child Care Centre and Yulara School to participate in a Question & Answer session, focusing on the aspirations of future generations. They also donated $5000 to the Yulara Child Care Centre to support local initiatives.
How did the Northern Territory assist with the event?
Quest Apartment Hotels received strong support from NT Business Events, the official convention bureau for the Northern Territory, to host the conference at Uluru. The team at Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia also provided invaluable assistance to the organisers to successfully bring the event to fruition.
In their words
The seamless integration of business sessions and destination activities received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with the various NT touches noted as adding to the event's overall success.
David Mansfield, Managing Director of Ascott Australasia, spoke about how Uluru had fulfilled the conference theme, which had promised delegates that they would “leave a little differently”.
“It’s important that we experience this nation, and we always want to stretch the boundaries and do something meaningful because our network deserves meaningful. It’s why we chose the heart of Australia as our destination. It’s why we ensured the stories of Anangu, the traditional custodians of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, would be shared throughout a range of incredible and immersive experiences in the desert.”
2024 Quest Franchise Conference, Uluru Meeting Place, Uluru