Having attracted prestigious events from all over the world for many years, Cairns Convention Centre has long been one of Australia’s most celebrated business event destinations. Now, following an extensive expansion, the venue is even bigger and better than ever before, with seamless integration between new and existing spaces that offer a brand-new experience.

A total of 10,500 square metres of floor space has been added, and within that is a new 400-seat plenary, space for 30 exhibition booths, three large meeting rooms, and a new third level with a banquet room (the Trinity Room) for up to 500 people. In total, the Cairns Convention Centre can now host much larger events with the ability to comfortably accommodate up to 2,500 guests.

Cairns Convention Centre general manager, Janet Hamilton, said the venue’s expansion gives planners the ability to host multiple or larger events, while its proximity to two World Heritage environments has always been a drawcard for delegates.

“The Trinity Room is ideal for gala dinners and large cocktail functions and can host up to 500 people, while the large pre-function space and the outdoor Trinity Terrace offers stunning views over the Trinity Inlet,” Hamilton said.

“This stunning outdoor area, inspired by the Wet Tropics Rainforest, is ideal for cocktail functions, lunches or unique events wanting to enjoy Cairns’ beautiful tropical weather.”

The Centre’s audio-visual capabilities have also undergone a major upgrade, resulting in outstanding integration a high level of flexibility to meet the most demanding technology needs. All meeting spaces are now outfitted with cameras offering pan, tilt, and zoom control features designed to enhance hybrid events; digital lecterns now have AV controls and built-in preview monitors for easy reference to presentation notes; and state-of-the-art laser projectors in all meeting spaces also ensure the visual content is presented in sharp, high resolution.

Come for the event, stay for the experience

With its combination of natural beauty, scenic coastal and rainforest villages and unique experiences, Cairns is one Australia’s leading tourism destinations which delegates will absolutely love exploring. Cairns Convention Centre can help planners organise unique offsite experiences that will be sure to enrich any conference program and leave a lasting impression on delegates.

The Reef Fleet Terminal is just a five-minute walk from most city hotels, making Cairns the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef with half-day, full-day and extended trips to the Reef and its islands. More than 600 tours depart daily from the city giving easy access to the Wet Tropics rainforest, Indigenous culture, food trails, and accessible outback.

Unique offsite venues offer indoor and outdoor locations in the heart of the city including the Esplanade Lagoon, landscaped parklands, a waterfront brewery and an aquarium. Islands are a 40-minute boat ride from the city and multiple offsite venues are within a 30-minute drive away. Some the unique offsite venues include cane fields, Rainforeststation and the Tanks Art Centre.

Events that give back

Situated on the shores of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by the oldest rainforest on Earth, Cairns is the only place in the world where two World-Heritage listed areas meet.

This eco-destination offers a huge array of activities that can add a compelling CSR component to the function, such as Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, Rainforest Rescue, Habitat Heroes, Cairns Aquarium Turtle Rescue Centre, and Reef Restoration Foundation. Meanwhile, delegates can also participate in the Great Barrier Reef preservation and conservation programs, with marine biologists and cultural guides available for educational and even data-gathering tours.

Cairns also has a rich First Nations culture, and event planners can draw on that to help delegates learn about traditional music, art, and equipment from the area, or hear creation stories about the region – particularly the Great Barrier Reef.

Simply hosting the event at the venue is an incentive that will encourage delegate sign-ups.

To enquire about hosting your next event at Cairns Convention Centre, email the venue’s business development director, Wayne Smith at wsmith@cairnsconvention.com.au