Global Meetings Day was celebrated on 30 March, coinciding with a milestone week in the recovery of the business events industry for Tropical North Queensland where we showcased our destination’s capabilities to host sustainable meetings, conferences and incentives.
Australia’s first carbon-neutral event management company Arinex kicked off their 50th anniversary celebrations with a conference at the Cairns Convention Centre at the beginning of the week. It was fitting that the Arinex team joined the first tree planting in critically endangered Mabi rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands as part of TTNQ’s Reforest Carbon Offsetting program for business events.
Our mission for business events delegates to Leave Greater is about creating moments for them to connect with nature, their company and the story of our destination. It is part of TTNQ’s promise for greater good.
Enabling delegates to make a tangible contribution to looking after this incredible part of the world not only gives them lasting memories, it builds the desire to do more when they return home.
The Arinex conference is one of a number being held at the Cairns Convention Centre that not only inject a significant boost to our regional economy, they deliver benefits to key local industries by bringing the decision makers from various sectors to Cairns.
Last month the Cairns Convention Centre hosted the Strata Community Association Queensland annual conference and in coming months they will host the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists National Convention and the Australian Banana Industry Congress.
Strategic conferences like these during the shoulder season help to build the capacity and profile of our local industries while bringing in delegates who tend to spend twice as much as a leisure visitor and often return for a holiday with their family.
Eight key event planners from Korea and Japan were also in region last week for a four-day education program showcasing the destination ahead of the Business Events Australia Asia Showcase in Sydney.
With business events returning we want to ensure our industry is armed with the latest insights into how our region can capitalise on opportunities for international and national events.
On Friday, TTNQ hosted the Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Conference to bring our members together to hear from industry experts from across Australia. In addition to learning how to master proposals and site inspections, delegates were shown how to communicate our brand promise to Connect Great, Create Great and Leave Greater.
Cheers,
Mark Olsen
Chief Executive Officer