Cairns Convention Centre secures array of dynamic conferences

Conferences held at the Cairns Convention Centre, with its proximity to the Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, offer numerous opportunities for knowledge sharing, education, and community engagement while also wowing delegates with offsite visits to two World Heritage areas and stimulating the Cairns economy

The Cairns Convention Centre has hosted a remarkable series of conferences over the last few months, bringing significant economic benefits to Cairns. The region, home to experts in various sectors such as Tropical Health, Tourism, Life Sciences, and Education & Training, draws global thought leaders and innovators. Between now and June 2025, the Centre estimates it will attract over 21,000 delegates from Australia and overseas.

Among the upcoming conferences is the Travel Managers Australia Conference featuring Olympic Champion Cathy Freeman in September 2024.

Recently, the Viruses of Microbes (VoM) 2024 Conference was held for the first-time outside Europe, attracting over 500 global experts in microbial virology. The upcoming XVI. Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum (QCHSC) 2024 Conference will attract over 500 international and national delegates.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Mark Olsen said hosting the significant Viruses of Microbes Conference had been an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities and attraction of Cairns as a host destination.

Olsen noted “Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism and Events Queensland, and Business Events Australia were delighted to support The Viruses of Microbes Conference, which brought more than 500 global delegates to the only place with two World Heritage areas side by side.

“The delegates were wowed by offsite events such as the gala dinner at Rainforestation where they dined in the rainforest, experienced Indigenous culture, and interacted with local wildlife.”

Other notable upcoming conferences include the

•Australasian Genomic Technologies Association Annual Conference in October 2024

•Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference in December 2024; and

•Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Scientific Meeting in May 2025.

Janet Hamilton, the General Manager of the Cairns Convention Centre enthused “we’re thrilled to welcome delegates from all corners of the globe. The Centre serves as an ecosystem for knowledge sharing, education, and community engagement. These Conferences not only stimulate the Cairns economy but also provide a platform for collaboration and learning. This success is a testament to our dedicated team of Business Development professionals, who will continue to bid for and secure Conferences for Cairns.