Cairns Convention Centre, located in the heart of Tropical North Queensland, Australia, has recently unveiled its extensive expansion, setting a new benchmark for international and domestic conferences and events.
The Queensland Government has invested a whopping $176 million in the refurbishment and expansion of this international convention centre, enhancing Cairns’ reputation as an eco-tourism hotspot and a world leader in hosting business events.
The award-winning Centre, operated by ASM Global since 1996, is now equipped to host multiple events simultaneously, including larger conferences requiring multiple breakout spaces. Harvey Lister AM, Chairman and Chief Executive of ASM Global (Asia Pacific), expressed that the Centre’s expansion would bring substantial economic benefits to the Cairns economy over the next decade and beyond. He highlighted, “Cairns Convention Centre is on track to host 160 events this financial year, bringing more than 35,000 delegates to Cairns and delivering a visitor spend of over $100 million into the region.”
The state-of-the-art expansion introduces an additional 10,500 sqm of meeting, banquet, and exhibition space, featuring a 450-seat theatre-style plenary lecture space, three large configurable meeting rooms, a 500-capacity Trinity Room banquet space, and an outdoor terrace. The expansion also includes a spacious lobby for pre-event functions and a large undercover Porte Cochere adorned with native, tropical flora, doubling as a function space.
A standout feature of the expansion is the Trinity Room and Terrace level, which offers unparalleled views over Trinity Inlet. The Centre’s clients can now leverage the latest audio-visual equipment, contemporary interiors, and new building systems for a seamless event delivery and experience.
Janet Hamilton, the general manager of Cairns Convention Centre, mentioned that the refurbished and expanded centre is ready to welcome event organizers and delegates from across the globe. She emphasized the positive reactions received for the new spaces, with clients impressed by the contemporary design and light-filled areas featuring lush, tropical rainforest in the background.
Richard Coulson, Cox Architecture Director, who led the design team for the refurbishment and expansion, praised the project for its mix of sophistication, modern technology, and relaxed ‘truly Cairns’ sensibility. He stated, “This expansion has allowed a richness which is quite rare for these spaces. It is open, generous, and flexible and yet intimate at the same time.”
