In the first half of 2024, the Cairns Convention Centre has welcomed some of the world’s leading scientific minds and is set to host more globally significant events between now and July 2025. The region – home to experts in the tropical health, tourism, life sciences, and education and training sectors – 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.
In July 2024, the Centre hosted the Viruses of Microbes (VoM) 2024 Conference. It was the first time the biannual conference had been held outside Europe and attracted over 500 global experts in microbial virology. Dedicated to advancement in the fields of viruses of microorganisms, this year’s five-day event highlighted recent microbial research and applications. Other notable upcoming conferences at the Cairns Convention Centre include:
Australasian Genomic Technologies Association Annual Conference in October 2024
Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference in December 2024
The Congress of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association in April 2025
The Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Scientific Meeting in May 2025.
Travel Managers Australia Conference featuring Olympic Champion Cathy Freeman in September 2024
Jeremy J. Barr, Associate Professor from Monash University and Co-Chair of VoM, praised Cairns, saying, “Hosting the meeting in Cairns was an easy choice. Cairns’ unique wildlife, scenery, and setting offer a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s rare to have a conference with a tropical coral reef one side of the venue and a rainforest, the other.” Barr added, “Cairns’ relaxed vibe, friendly locals, and Australian culture enhanced the experience for international delegates and the facilities at the Cairns Convention Centre are among the country’s best, so we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mark Olsen said hosting the significant conference had been an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities and attraction of Cairns as a host destination. “We were delighted to support the VoM Conference, and it was especially great to see delegates 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.”
In August, the XVI. Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum (QCHSC) 2024 Conference, supported by BEA and TTNQ, saw over 500 international and national delegates gather in Cairns. The Cairns Convention Centre was selected to host the event owing not only to its ties with the scientific community, but its superior facilities, including: a tiered, theatre-style auditorium; state-of-the-art AV and IT equipment; and several fully flexible events spaces all with breathtaking views.
Dr. Ayse Kizilersu from the University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, who led the organisation of the event, said: “We were delighted to head to Cairns for the conference. Both the venue and destination offered incredible appeal to our delegates and it meant we had a high level of attendance from around the world.”
Janet Hamilton, the General Manager of the Cairns Convention Centre, shared her enthusiasm about the upcoming conferences, saying: “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 and our success is a testament to our dedicated team of Business Development professionals, who will continue to bid for, and secure, conferences for Cairns. We’re excited to be able to offer attendees an unforgettable cultural experience as well as a spectacular events space.”
