Inside the Cairns Convention Centre’s boom since expansion
The Cairns Convention Centre was on track to produce $80m last financial year following a lengthy, multimillion-dollar expansion.
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The Cairns Convention Centre was on track to produce $80m in delegate spend last financial year following a lengthy, multimillion-dollar expansion.
In 2020, a $176m expansion and refurbishment of the centre kicked off, funded by the Queensland government, which was completed in October 2023.
The expansion added 10,5000 square metres of events space to the centre, allowing a concert or Taipans game to be held at the same time as a conference.
“Our feedback scores have gone through the roof. People just love the venue,” general manager Janet Hamilton said.
“We worked really hard to make sure that it wasn’t old and new ... it’s seamless.”
By the end of the 2024/25 financial year, 110 events will have been held at the centre, a 40 per cent increase on the average number of events held annually between 2008 and 2018.
“The last couple of conferences we’ve had have booked again, so we’re seeing really lovely repeat business,” she said.
Ms Hamilton said the original business case for the expansion, prepared in 2018/2019, estimated it could be possible to increase delegate spend in the region by $30m per year within five years of opening.
She said the centre was on track to produce $80m in delegate spend in the Cairns region in the 2024/25 financial year, and again in the 2025/26 financial year.
Prior to the expansion, average annual delegate spend ranged between $55m and $70m.
“Every delegate comes into town and they stay at hotels and restaurants, go out to the reef and there’s a dollar figure put on that … that’s what we’re here to do.”
Ms Hamilton said they were “advocates” for the region and promoted the Far North first when bidding to clients.
“We sell the destination first. We’ve got such an amazing location with two World Heritage treasures, we’ve got beautiful hotels, great activities,” she said.
She also said visitors were attracted to their championing of local businesses, such as prioritising local produce in their menus, as well as their sustainability and First Nations initiatives.
The centre promotes First Nations art, history and tourism experiences and has a partnership with NorthSite Contemporary Art, gifting each client a print from a local First Nations artist when they leave.
Ms Hamilton said the centre’s most prestigious events were conferences, which could take up to two decades to secure.
“It takes us three to five years to win a national conference and up to five to 20 years to win an international conference,” Ms Hamilton said.
“So we do research first. We identify conferences that are open in rotation and if we’re going to win an international conference, we find a local expert, the doctor or the academic, who will champion the conference or introduce us.”
Ms Hamilton said about one third of the conferences were for medical associations, both regional and global.
“I say to our team, we’re just not a venue, we’re creating a platform for solving the next major medical issue or business deal,” she said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen recognised the high calibre of events the centre had attracted since its refurbishment.
Referring to the annual media, marketing and advertising conference, Cairns Crocodiles, Mr Olsen said the first event of 700 in 2022 had grown to more than 2000 delegates in 2025, with 25 per cent from outside Australia.
“This is anticipated to deliver a direct economic impact of $6.9m plus the pre and post visits which will have added a further $3.5m,” Mr Olsen said.
Ms Hamilton said the future looked bright for the convention centre and Cairns.
“We continue to win business,” she said. “We’ve got a beautiful new centre, a beautiful city, and we work together really well with all our partners. It’s a real team effort.”
The centre’s sustainable features:
A 130m external facade filled with 1200 sun blades, which move position based on the sun’s angles throughout the day to manage sun exposure and direct it into the living green facade.
A double-layer pleated plate roof, which channels rainwater into tanks with a capacity of 200,000 litres.
Solar water heaters, which provide more than 30 per cent of the centre’s hot water.
LED motion sensor lighting and energy efficient fans.
Two electric vehicle charging stations.
A biophilic design with a living green facade with landscaping incorporating a minimum of 50 per cent native plants.
Solely using ambient energy sources such as solar as a part of their ‘passive first’ approach.
Local-first approach
All seasonal fruits and vegetables are locally sourced and the centre works directly with Tablelands farmers.
All beverage packages contain Queensland beer and wine.
Weipa timber used in the centre’s mullions.
Marble stone from Chillagoe.
Carpet designed to mimic seagrass found around Cairns.
100 per cent of chicken and 85 per cent of beef come from Queensland.
Key 2025 events
April: Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association Congress 2025
In April, the centre hosted 750 members of the APOA for their 2025 conference, which featured symposiums and instructional lectures on artificial intelligence, robotics and augmented reality. The APOA is comprised of more than 65,000 orthopaedic surgeons from more than 40 countries.
April and May: Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Scientific Meeting 2025
More than 1200 global experts in anaesthesia and perioperative and pain medicine gathered at the centre in late April for their annual meeting. The conference, which focused on the work of regional fellows in remote areas, included tours of James Cook University and the Cairns Aquarium, cooking classes with Nunu, mountain biking and yoga at Kynd Studio.
May: AUS-oMicS 2025
In May, 400 leading researchers, professionals and innovators from various scientific disciplines, including genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, gathered at the centre for the AUS-oMics conference. The event provided a platform for leaders from more than 30 countries to collaborate and share crucial knowledge on the latest advancements in technologies and their applications to health, agriculture and sustainability.
July/August: CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific
Taking place in late July, the CAPA Summit will bring together more than 400 leaders in the aviation, tourism and hospitality industries from 20 countries. This is the first time the event has been held outside a capital city. Speakers will include executives from Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways, Air NZ, Qantas Domestic and North Queensland Airports.
August: The 20th International Bat Research Conference
Chosen for its rich bat population and quality of facilities, Cairns will host the 20th International Bat Research Conference over six days in August. The global conference is held every three years, with previous events held in Texas and Phuket. About 400 delegates will attend seminars and workshops on bat research, conservation and management and will attend field trips to the Tolga Bat Hospital, Cattana Wetlands, Rainforestation Nature Park and Kuranda.
Bats and Tree Society Cairns president Maree Treadwell said Cairns was a “living laboratory for biodiversity”.
“Hosting the IBRC here will spotlight our unique ecosystems and the passionate local community working to protect them,” Ms Treadwell said.
“From our rich First Nations knowledge systems to the collaborative spirit of our scientists and conservationists, this region offers a truly immersive experience for delegates.
“We’re excited to share our natural heritage and contribute to meaningful global conversations about bat conservation and ecological resilience.”
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Originally published as Inside the Cairns Convention Centre’s boom since expansion
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