Dark Sky 2023 - Case Study
The Total Solar Eclipse on the 20th of April 2023 was a rare and spectacular astronomical phenomenon highly anticipated worldwide. The event lasted for almost three hours, and during this time, the sun, moon and earth aligned to create a Total Solar Eclipse. With large numbers of people travelling to Exmouth and surrounding areas of the north west of Western Australia to experience the Eclipse, we worked with Tourism Western Australia to develop a festival to entertain visitors and community.
We Are Gather and Mellen Events were appointed by Tourism WA in a joint venture partnership, as the event delivery managers enlisted to provide events and event management services in Exmouth and Onslow. Dark Sky Festival was the overarching umbrella brand for the 2023 Total Solar Eclipse Festival of Events. An exciting program of events was curated, produced, and executed in Exmouth and Onslow, Western Australia in April 2023, for over 22,000 guests.
We Are Gather curated and produced a number of dining events such as Seafood BBQ's, g(astronomy) dining featuring leading astronomer Greg Quicke and wine maker, Vanya Cullen, a Totality Brunch surrounding the time of the eclipse, and pop-up dining with Fervor during a spectacular sunset. We programmed staged talks, yoga sessions, astrophotography, worked with scitech and Astrotourism WA to develop kids programmes, managed stakeholder relationships, marketing, PR and content.
Dark Sky Festival was considered a huge success having delivered highly engaging content. The 102 activations and events leveraged the natural beauty of the Ningaloo region and implemented a legacy for the ongoing and future promotion of dark sky tourism in the North-west of the State.
We Are Gather and Mellen Events are proud to have played an important role in the creation of such a significant event as well as having collaborated with the State Government of Western Australia, Shires of Exmouth and Ashburton, various tourism agencies, local businesses and residential communities
Our businesses' put together a comprehensive tourism plan involving a multi-day festival, and implemented strategic plans and execution for accommodation, transportation and other facilities.
Key figures
102 performances and activations
Over 230 artists, performers, and staff
13 venues programmed
5 outdoor event sites
31 food trucks
35 market stalls
9 road trains, 7 semi trailers, 5 medical vehicles. 24 event vehicles
176 portaloos
37 commercial flights and 3 charter planes
“This event has had a positive impact on the residents, creating a sense of civic pride and a sense of belonging to the community.”
Shire of Exmouth stakeholder Feedback
