In September 2019, the Hotel welcomed our largest Association conference for the year when over 1,300 Early Childhood Educators arrived into Hobart for their National Conference.

How did they spend their time and what were the highlights? Read on for more…

September 2019 saw Hobart awash with colour and excitement as 1,300 early childhood educators from across Australia prepared to kick off for 4 days of education, networking and fun.

The Facts:

  • 1300 delegates
  • 4 days (Including a one-day pre-conference program)
  • 67 exhibitors
  • Pre-conference tours x 5
  • 2 sold-out pre-conference workshops
  • 10 concurrent streams with over 110 individual presentations

Social Functions:

  • Welcome Reception – Federation Ballroom, Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart
  • Gala Dinner – Wrest Point
  • AFL Grand Final Farewell Drinks – The Atrium Bar, Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart

Embracing the theme of ‘From Vision to Action’, the conference aimed to explore current and emerging practices to enhance young children’s experiences across the spectrum of service and education settings they attend. This included early childhood education and care (ECEC), as well as the early years of school, outside school hours care and child/parent programs such as playgroups and family centres.

With a diverse delegate base, the 4-day conference aimed to engage participants on all levels in a discourse on rights, wellbeing and quality improvement, facilitating deep reflective thinking and enhancing ongoing professional learning and development.

With a destination as popular as Hobart, it was no surprise to us when the conference smashed their anticipated numbers by over 500 delegates.

Luckily for all involved, the in-house event manager was happy to challenge the normal conference structure and utilise offsite venues for 3 of the concurrent streams.  With Hobart experiencing spectacular weather over the conference days, delegates were excited to make the short walk across the road to the Old Woolstore for these breakout sessions.

The program kicked off with 2 sold-out pre-conference workshops Wednesday, alongside 5 centre tours. That night saw delegates arrive at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart to enjoy the official welcome party amongst the trade exhibitors.  A host of local vendors also joined the party, giving delegates the opportunity to sample some of Tasmania’s fresh local produce and beverages (we hear the gin was a real hit)!

Realising the importance of the more informal networking opportunities, delegates were also able to attend a formal dinner held at Wrest Point, in addition to the official AFL Footy themed Farewell Drinks in the HGCH Atrium Bar – it was Grand Final Day after all.

Technology also played a large role in this conference. To ensure the maximum reach possible for the presented content, those that were not able to attend in person were still able to be part of the conference thanks to a virtual registration process.  These delegates were able to live stream sessions and re-watch them later if needed in the comfort of their homes or offices.

Also proving popular was the Conference App that helped delegates navigate the busy program and even busier trade exhibition.

Want to know more about how the conference worked and why delegates are raving about Hobart?  Then click here to start the conversation with us.