Annual Cairns & GBR showcase goes virtual

The bureau had to think outside the box for this year's showcase event.

Rosie Douglas and Kylie Brand connect with organisers online

An online trivia competition was enticing enough to lure 40 Australian conference and incentive organisers into Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef reimagined annual showcase this month.

Due to gathering and travel restrictions, the annual networking lunch was unable to go ahead in its usual format, so the team got to work to come up with a solution.

Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef general manager Rosie Douglas said the challenge was to stand out from the myriad online meetings that business events professionals are invited to attend each week.

“The live online trivia game replaced the annual networking lunch and was an outstanding success with the fun and competitive format a winner in keeping everyone engaged with learning about the region’s business events offerings,” she said.

The event saw 29 members showcase their products and venues through video presentations and an exciting trivia competition.

Cairns showcase — Trivia winner Melanie Bowie

Melanie Bowie from Key Conference in Melbourne was the major winner, taking away a five-night holiday including return airfares to Cairns, a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef, luxury day spa package, scenic helicopter flights and dining at award-winning venues.

Bowie said the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Regional Showcase Connect stood out from the other interactive events she had experienced.

“The session was fantastic – it was really well run and set up,” she said.

What’s new in Cairns & GBR

During the event, Douglas shared an update on the destination and how the industry was operating under COVID-safe guidelines.

“The region’s new offerings include an empty city warehouse which has been transformed into an event space catering to the Super League Netball and National Basketball League games,” she said.