The Cairns Convention Centre has hosted numerous conferences recently, boosting Cairns’ economy and attracting over 21,000 delegates by June 2025. The Centre’s appeal lies in the region’s expertise in fields like Tropical Health, Life Sciences, and Tourism, and its world-class facilities.

The Viruses of Microbes (VoM) 2024 Conference was held in Cairns for the first time outside Europe, drawing over 500 experts in microbial virology. Jeremy J. Barr, Co-Chair of VoM, praised Cairns’ unique setting and relaxed atmosphere. The Quark Confinement and Hadron Spectrum Conference (QCHSC) 2024 is set to bring over 500 national and international delegates, with organisers expressing excitement over Cairns’ scientific ties and superior venue.

Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, highlighted the value of such events, citing the VoM Conference’s offsite events that showcased Indigenous culture and local wildlife. Other notable upcoming conferences include the TravelManagers Australia Conference, the Australasian Genomic Technologies Association Annual Conference, the Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference, and the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Scientific Meeting.

General Manager Janet Hamilton expressed excitement about the Centre’s future, emphasizing its role in fostering knowledge sharing and community engagement. The Centre’s success reflects the efforts of its Business Development team in securing global events for Cairns.