CEI Opinion

Cairns Convention Centre Take Centre Stage with Asia Pacific Events

IBM has joined a growing list of international corporations that have chosen the Cairns Convention Centre for major conferences. Indeed, the leading information technology company will make a global announcement in Cairns. While details will remain secret until 26 July, IBM has promised news that “will revolutionise how we use technology today.”

IBM joins Microsoft, Amway, Coca-Cola, PeopleSoft, Repco, Ericsson, McDonalds, Count Financial and Retravision who have recently held events in Cairns. The decisions by such high profile firms to chose Cairns reflects growing recognition in the international marketplace of our high quality facilities and professional services. Further, Cairns is rightly regarded as a friendly, safe, and accessible destination with convenient airlinks to countries in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Perhaps the best commentary on why major corporations are increasingly choosing Cairns is best left to those who have made such decisions. IBM conference organiser, Phil Tasker, recently said: "The location we were looking for was close to the Asia Pacific region with easy air access for all delegates.  We wanted our delegates, from a wide variety of countries, to feel comfortable and enjoy the personalised service a city like Cairns has to offer.”

He added: “When you combine this with the extensive and diverse selection of offsite locations and attractions for delegates to enjoy, and the way that the people of Cairns demonstrated working together as a team, our location selection ensures a great event for IBM and an opportunity for the Cairns locals to shine.”

The most important judges of the Centre’s performance, our clients, had given very positive reviews. The Brussels-based International Association of Congress Centres, which surveys conference clients, has ranked Cairns Convention Centre the fourth best conference and exhibition venue in the world for the past two years.

But we are certainly not resting on our laurels. I was delighted with the announcement by our State Government in Queensland that $8.5 million has been allocated towards further improvements at the Centre. These will include upgrading the Centre’s audiovisual and communication systems, lighting and air-conditioning, security, catering services, administration offices and landscaping. These improvements will ensure we maintain our competitiveness as an international conference destination.

The Centre hosted over 20,000 delegates from 32 countries in 2003 with a diverse range of events extending from medical science to meteorology and finance to fishing. We saw a maturing of Cairns as a serious meetings destination with at least six of our events attracting over 1,000 delegates and organisers reporting, in many cases, record attendance and registration. We look forward to continuing that trend.

Geoff Donaghy is Managing Director of the Cairns Convention Centre, Chief Executive Officer of Suncorp Stadium, and Director of Queensland Venues for Ogden IFC.

For More Information:

Geoff Donaghy
Managing Director
Cairns Convention Centre
Telephone: 07-4042 4200
Facsimile: 07-4052 1152
Email: