Our Seniors Expo

ON THIS PAGE History | Funding | Sponsors | Past, Present & in Pictures | Facts and Stats

COTA NT created the Seniors Expo to bring people together — to spark conversations, strengthen community connections and celebrate the enormous contribution older Territorians continue to make to the Northern Territory. Held in person, each Expo has a warmth and energy which is impossible to replicate. Old friends reconnect, new friendships are formed, stories are shared and laughter fills the space. People genuinely love it — not just for the information and services on offer, but for the sense of belonging it creates.

Expo has developed a unique atmosphere and over time has earned a special place on Territory seniors’ calendar — each expo day is a day that people look forward to, talk about and return to year after year.

A little history about Seniors Expo

The first Seniors Expo was held in Darwin in August 2015 on the grounds of the Museum and Art Gallery (MAGNT) at Conacher Point in Darwin. It was created by Events Manager, Stephanie Kendall as part of the organisation’s Seniors Month program and was specifically designed to showcase community services, lifestyle and entertainment.

Expo 2015 was put together on a shoe-string budget by four part-time staff and a team of volunteers. 41 exhibitors set themselves up on the lawns with gazebos, tables and chairs, 9 talks and 8 performances were time-tabled, plus a fashion show and free morning tea. It attracted over 400 people making it the biggest event COTA NT had held in its history at that time. The event won the Australia Day Award for Community Event of the Year award. Lord Mayor of Darwin, Katrina Fong Lim describing the event as a “very special community event”.

Two more Expos were held in the grounds of the MAGNT, helping to establish Expo as the premier event for seniors on the NT events calendar. Having outgrown its space, Expo then moved to Palmerston Recreation Centre in 2018 and 2019. No Expo was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Expo was back, however, and held for the first time in its largest, air-conditioned home in the Territory Netball Centre (then the CDU Stizler Stadium Netball Centre).

COTA NT’s has brought the “Expo-formula” to Alice Springs, Katherine and the Darwin Rural area (Coolalinga and Coomalie). Seniors Expos in Alice Springs have been incorporated into Seniors Month activities since 2018. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, they were smaller events styled as ‘Health and Wellness Days’ which developed into Expo-style events in 2022. Seniors Expos have been held in Katherine since 2021.

Between 2015 to 2025, COTA NT organised 25 Expos for Territory seniors, community and stakeholders.

Expo funding

COTA NT’s expos are supported by government grants, sponsorships (financial and in-kind) and exhibitor contributions. This support enables COTA NT to keep Expo as an accessible and inclusive event, open to all members of the community (there is no door fee and refreshments are provided at no cost).

Expo sponsors

If you are interested in supporting one of COTA’s Seniors Expo events, please contact us for the latest sponsorship prospectus.

Past, present and in pictures

Find out about past and present COTA Seniors Expos and see them in pictures.

Quick expo facts and stats

The first Seniors EXPO was held in Darwin in 2015 and won the Australia Day Award for Community Event of the Year award. It attracted over 400 people. The latest Darwin Expo attracted over 2 500. COTA NT’s Seniors Expo in all regions continue to grow from strength to strength – in reach and reputation (see what people say about COTA NT’s Expos).

Expo in Darwin attracts approximately 2 500 people and 80 – 90 exhibitors
Expo in Alice Springs attracts approximately 500 people and 55 exhibitors
Expo in Katherine attracts approximately 250 people and 40 exhibitors.

* based on estimated numbers

Page updated February 2026