tech , wooden access keys , waste reduction and energy efficiency . The TTNQ agenda is to incorporate throughout every touchpoint of an event , the practices of accessibility , sustainability and culture .
Traditional cane burning dinner
either a long lead time and short lead confirmation , or very short lead and confirmation , which both present their own challenges . Given Covid isolated individuals in business for a long period , both businesses and delegates , says Douglas , are now looking for very personalised experiences which present meaningful ways to connect .
Natural environment and key sectors TTNQ confirms the destination ’ s commitment to incorporating sustainability , accessibility and culture into events held within the region . “ Our region ’ s natural environment offers delegates open spaces , a walkable and accessible city , the opportunity to explore two world heritage icons - The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest , and connect with the people and stories of two of the worlds oldest living cultures – Aboriginal , and Torres Strait Islander . Coupled with the expertise and facilities of a modern , contemporary city , together with our welcoming nature , these are the key points of difference we offer events ,” adds Douglas . So , what are the region ’ s key economic sectors and how is it leveraging local expertise to attract events ? The bureau identifies Agribusiness , Aviation , Health & Life Sciences , Education , Marine Services , Renewable Energy , Tourism and Tropical Health as priority sectors . James Cook University is the home of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine , while the
Australian Tropical Forest Institute and the Australian Tropical Herbarium also conduct internationally acclaimed research . The region offers expertise in tourism management and training in environmentally sensitive areas , while the aviation sector plays host to Jet Aviation who have the largest avionics workshop in the southern hemisphere , plus the Cairns Aviation Skills Centre and the CQUniversity Aviation Campus . The bureau says this in-region expertise provides leverage to attract events in a wide range of sectors .
“ In Cairns & Great Barrier Reef we encourage visitors to leave as custodians of our region and its stories . We support you to leave our destination greater than before your event was held , and your delegates to leave greater as people than before they attended ,” says Douglas .
The region is also home to the highest number of eco-sustainable and culturally responsible certified tourism operators in Australia . The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway located 10 minutes north of the Cairns CBD is only 1 of 10 businesses to hold EarthCheck ’ s Master Certification , and Port Douglas was the first destination in the world to be awarded Ecotourism Australia ’ s ECO Destination Certification .
The bureau adds that planners expect sustainable practices from destinations including water stations and boxed water , the removal of single use plastics , paperless
“ Sustainability should be viewed as a primary component of every event , and our region ’ s commitment to the preservation of our iconic natural assets and indigenous culture have placed us in the unique position to become leaders in this concept ,” says Douglas .”
Kim Jobson , head of events at FrontRow Group has brought events to the region and shares this testimonial : “ Cairns is a fantastic area for running big events and I would thoroughly recommend taking your next event to the region . There is a range of small , medium and large flexible venue options , from the convention centre to numerous new and refurbished hotels , including major hotel chains . Cairns also boasts a great variety of social venues on the water ' s edge , like Hemmingway ' s Brewery and other great bars . A huge attraction includes events by boat on the Great Barrier Reef or the range of indigenous and local cultural experiences . The event community and suppliers are very supportive , easy to work with and produce high quality work . We , our client and their guests thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Cairns and we were hugely supported by TTNQ .”
Kim Jobson