COVER STORY
Winning the AIPC APEX Award for “World’s
Best Congress Centre”, in 2014 and 2004,
are proud highlights for Cairns Convention
Centre. The client rated survey is the highest
international industry accolade and the
Cairns Convention Centre is one of only two
centres in the world to attain this prestigious
Award twice.
The independent “blind” evaluation
process is carried out by Ipsos, a recognised
international market research company,
ensuring an objective analysis which
addresses factors including centre facilities,
project management capabilities, catering
12th Coral Reef Symposium and the
Queensland Sitting of Parliament.
“These important events would not have
come to Cairns without a world class facility
like the Cairns Convention Centre,” said Ross
Steele, general manager of the Centre.
Many congratulatory messages have been
received by the Centre’s team including
praise from Queensland Premier Annastacia
Palaszczuk, who congratulated the Centre for
20 outstanding years of operation.
“To have a world-class convention centre
offering world-class service has been a
great boost to business tourism, sport and
entertainment in Tropical North
Queensland,” she said.
Back to the future
The Cairns Convention Centre
recently celebrated 20 successful
years of operation and took time to
reflect on its past achievements.
and technical capacity. This ongoing
endorsement of world class standards and
consistent quality is outstanding recognition
of the Centre’s commitment to their clients
over a long period of time.
Major events the Cairns Convention Centre
team has proudly hosted during the last 20
years includes the G20 Finance Ministers
and Central Bank Governors Meeting, the
Australian Tourism Exchange (held for
the first time outside a capital city), Pacific
Islands Forum, APEC Ministers Responsible
for Trade Meeting, World Buiatrics Congress,
8 Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 7, 2016 www.cimmagazine.com
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning also praised
the Centre, saying it has grown in
stature and importance to become
one of the city’s most vital assets.
“Whether it be for sporting and
entertainment events, industry expos or
international business conferences, the
Centre continues to attract large-scale
events to our city and is globally recognised
as a benchmark performer,” he said.
Steele says the team appreciated the
feedback received from its stakeholders and
the industry over the past 20 years.
“We are proud of the part the Centre has
played in Australia’s business events
landscape.”