Making all the difference

A year after inviting international visitors back to its shores, Australia’s convention destinations are back on track, competing with the rest of the world for major association meetings. Cairns, on the tropical north-east coast of Queensland, may be smaller than its rival cities but is channelling its unique resources to address concerns like the impact of long-haul air travel to stay ahead of the game.

“With international borders now open and aviation capacity being restored, the focus for Cairns is very much on regaining our international market share,” says Rosie Douglas, GM - Partnerships & Events at Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ). “We have what delegates are looking for in a post-pandemic world and this is leading to a solid pipeline of international events.”.

Determined to give a warm tropical welcome to all visitors, TTNQ has identified sustainability and accessibility as two elements which will add value to future event proposals in line with client expectations. It’s also highlighting the impact of CSR activities, when business event delegates participate in practical projects which give something back to the local community.

“Cairns is a leader in sustainability, and this underpins everything we do, from the natural assets of the region and delegate experiences to the world-class infrastructure,” says Douglas.

TTNQ announced its Sustainability Travel Hub last month, recognising that potential clients increasingly consider the green credentials of host cities in their decision making.

Associations offering pre- and post-conference tours will find a myriad of local, eco-certified experiences available, giving delegates the knowledge that their time in the region has contributed positively to the overall management and preservation of the environment.

TTNQ has also formed a partnership with Reforest, an independent organisation which actively supports forest conservation work around the world. It will help organisers calculate their event’s high-level carbon footprint which they and their delegates can offset by contributing to a localised tree-planting and revegetation programme in the endangered Mabi rainforest.

The Accessibility Hub was launched after the Queensland Government designated 2023 as the Year of Accessible Tourism. In the case of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef this covers all manner of assistance for disabled leisure and business tourists to the region, offering hearing loops and accessibility features in arts and meetings venues, braille and tactile street signage and beach wheelchairs.

“Access to business events for all delegates is vital in ensuring diversity and inclusion leading to better outcomes for all participants,” Douglas comments.

Cairns Convention Centre always makes a point of ensuring the accessibility requirements of events are met. The venue’s been fully committed to sustainable practices since opening in 1996 and proudly holds EarthCheck benchmark status. Its double-layer pleated plate roof was designed to capture seasonal tropical rains and channel rainwater directly into storage tanks.

In May it will host the first event in a new 10,500 sqm extension which includes a large, undercover, tropically planted forecourt. It adds three 110-seat meeting rooms, a 410-seat plenary lecture space, extra exhibition space and a 500-seat banquet room on the new rooftop level with a large adjoining pre-function room and outside terrace. The entire building will hold 2,500 comfortably plus the refurbished arena seating up to 5,000.

Completing the extension couldn’t be more timely. The centre has had to rely mainly on the domestic market for the last few years but is now seeing growing international interest in its new facilities. Many conferences are already booked for this year and reflect Cairns’ reputation in fields such as climate, health, science, food and agribusiness.

For instance, in May some 350 people will attend the International Business Environment and Climate Conference. In June, 300 are expected at the International Union of Forest Research Organisations Division 5 Conference and 800 at the Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference.

Having been postponed twice, the International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology will finally kick off in late July with around 900 delegates. “Cairns is the perfect choice,” says Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou who led Australia’s bid to host the event. “We wanted to bring the international community to a city where they could network together and explore one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.”

Bonus points

• Cairns’ size and climate are in its favour. Getting around on foot is easy and 8,000 hotel rooms are within walking distance of the convention centre.

• Prices are competitive. Cairns offers the same international hotel brands as larger cities with the added benefit of being in a tropical regional destination.

• Tourism Australia and Tourism Events Queensland both have event funding opportunities available for international association meetings with a minimum 400 delegates.

• Cairns Airport is beginning a major overhaul of its international terminal to prepare for increasing passenger levels.

 Who to contact

Kylie Brand
Business Development Manager
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
E: businessevents@ttnq.org.au
W: Tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au