Submitted by Cairns Convention Center
Cairns Convention Center lifts the curtain on its new expansion, revealing a new standard for international and domestic conferences and events.
The Queensland Government in Australia has invested $176 million in the refurbishment and expansion of the city’s international convention center.
Already an eco-tourism hotspot, Cairns is set to further capitalize on the lucrative international Business Events sector with a renewed convention facility that complements the region’s natural, pristine beauty.
The award-winning center, which has been operated by ASM Global since it opened in 1996, will now be able to host multiple events as well as larger conferences requiring multiple break out spaces.
ASM Global (Asia Pacific) Chairman and Chief Executive, Harvey Lister AM, said the center’s expansion and refurbishment would deliver significant economic benefits to the Cairns economy over the next decade and beyond.
“The expansion will enhance Cairns’ standing as a world leader in hosting business events. Cairns Convention Center is on track to host 160 events this financial year, including 60 conferences bringing more than 35,000 delegates to Cairns, delivering a visitor spend of over $100 million into the region,” added Mr Lister.
The state-of-the-art expansion delivers an extra 10,500 sqm of meeting, banquet and exhibition space featuring: an exhibition area with space for 30 booths, 450-seat theater-style plenary lecture space, three large meeting rooms that can be configured into multiple sizes, 500-capacity Trinity Room banquet space, outdoor terrace, spacious lobby for pre-event functions.
A key part of the expansion is the Trinity Room and Terrace level, offering unparalleled views over Trinity Inlet. The significant expansion project also includes a large undercover Porte Cochere planted with native, tropical flora that can also be used as a function space.
Clients hosting their events at the Cairns Convention Center can take advantage of the latest audio-visual equipment, contemporary interiors and new building systems for seamless event delivery and experience.
The refurbished and expanded center was poised to welcome event organizers and delegates from across Australia and the world.
“We are already receiving positive reactions to the new spaces, with clients impressed with the contemporary design and light filled areas that feature our lush, tropical rainforest in the background,” Cairns Convention Center General Manager Janet Hamilton says. “From our open spaces with floor to ceiling windows, to our stunning Trinity Room and Terrace with views across the inlet, the Center showcases Cairns’ natural assets.”
Cox Architecture Director Richard Coulson, who led the design team (with local collaborators CA Architects) for the refurbishment and expansion of the center, says “The Centre is a very sophisticated building. The technology is quite remarkable. Yet it feels like a place of Cairns, which has a renowned, relaxed lifestyle,” Mr Coulson said. “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. And that’s what Tropical North Queensland is as a destination.”
