Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has completed another successful Sell TNQ educational program, marking its 20th anniversary!
Sell TNQ 2019 Gala dinner at Freshwater Cane Farm with Nu Nu Catering & Events
Sell TNQ 2019 Gala dinner at Freshwater Cane Farm with Nu Nu Catering & Events
Sell TNQ 2019 Workshop Day at Pullman Cairns International
Sell TNQ 2019 Workshop Day at Pullman Cairns International
Sell TNQ 2019 Welcome Function at AJ Hackett Cairns with Ochre Restaurant & Catering
Sell TNQ 2019 Welcome Function at AJ Hackett Cairns with Ochre Restaurant & Catering
Sell TNQ 2019 Gala dinner table setting and theming
Sell TNQ 2019 Gala dinner table setting and theming
A thriving destination of world-class products and exciting developments on the horizon created the foundation for an engaging program showcasing premium business events suppliers to key Australian clients.
This year, 28 business event organisers and two media representatives took part in a three-day Cairns-based program running from 14 to 17 November where they had the opportunity to meet with 31 of the region’s premier business event partners. The level of interest this year was overwhelming with the bureau receiving over 90 applications from organisers around Australia and New Zealand trying to snatch up one of the 30 limited spots available.
The lucky few that were selected were then treated to an immersive tropical experience in the region, including welcome function, workshop day with B2B appointments with all suppliers, Gala dinner and touring day of choice. All delegates also had the option of participating in a two-night post-touring program in Port Douglas, of which over half did.
With a focus on promoting Cairns & Great Barrier Reef as a sustainable business events destination, the program included targeted efforts on reducing printing waste by using online itineraries, encouraging the use of reusable or biodegradable cutlery, containers and collateral, and replacing transfers to events with walking to promote low travel miles and the closeness of products to city hotels.
The first day of the main program included a welcome lunch at Cairns Convention Centre followed by an guided walking tour of the city, including interactive activity-based site inspections at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns and Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort. The day concluded with a welcome function under starlight in the rainforest at AJ Hackett, Cairns catered by Ochre Restaurant & Catering.
On Friday morning, all delegates enjoyed a private breakfast hosted by Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns before taking on a day of “speed-dating” appointments with suppliers held at Pullman Cairns International with NQ Exhibitions. Everyone then had an opportunity to stretch their legs with a walking tour of Crystalbrook Collection’s newest Cairns hotels, Bailey and Flynn, before enjoying a magical Gala dinner on a working cane farm catered by Nu Nu Catering & Events.
After a day of business on Friday, all delegates hand-picked their own touring option to participate in on Saturday with the choice of an outer reef day with Sunlover Reef Cruises, a day exploring tropical Green Island with Great Adventures or a land-based exploration day featuring Hot Air Ballooning Cairns (Experience Co.), Rainforestation Nature Park (The CaPTA Group), Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Hemingway’s Brewery. Each tour was accompanied by a talented videographer from TripVideos who captured the days’ treasured moments which were then presented that night in three one-minute videos at the farewell dinner held at Salt House on the Marina.
Before the main program delegates departed after an exciting couple of days, the last morning in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef was savoured with a luxury breakfast charter on the Spirit of Cairns catamaran which included a morning sail through the Trinity Inlet. With full bellies, everyone walked across the road to Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome where they were given the option of working off their breakfast with a dome climb and high ropes course or a walk through the wildlife park. Those lucky delegates with afternoon flights also got the chance to experience a walk through the award-winning Cairns Aquarium before the post-touring program officially begun.
The post-touring program in Port Douglas began with an afternoon exploring Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures before all guests checked into their accommodation at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas and departed for their first post-touring dinner at the famous Flames of the Forest. The second day kicked off with a hosted breakfast by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas before all delegates were immersed into first-hand Indigenous culture with a guided Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge Centre followed by closely by lunch and fresh coconuts at Thala Beach Nature Reserve. The day ended on a high note with every a 30-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef courtesy of GBR Helicopters (Experience Co.) before a hosted dinner by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas. Before making their way back to Cairns to catch departing flights, all guests were treated to morning views overlooking the Dickson Inlet with a hosted breakfast at Rex Smeal Park courtesy of the members of Business Events Port Douglas.