The first internationally recognised dermoscopy conference to be hosted outside the United States, the Australasian Dermoscopy Meeting 2026, will bring delegates from across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South America and the United States to Cairns on October 8-11.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Partnerships and Events General Manager Tara Bennett said the idea for the skin cancer conference was conceived in Cairns by a local doctor who wanted to utilise Cairns businesses to create a national meeting.
“Dr Vin Rajeswaran who is recognised internationally for his commitment to improving access to high-quality skin cancer care, particularly in rural and remote Australia, approached TTNQ to help him to find the local business events expertise to develop a national conference that is made in Cairns,” she said.
“We connected Dr Rajeswaran with Cairns-based Professional Conference Organiser Andrea Wicking at TPM Events, and they have been working with the Pullman Cairns International team to organise the meeting.
“He is already planning the second conference to be held again in Cairns in October 2027 as well as a surgical conference in April 2027,” she said.
Dr Rajeswaran said the Australasian Dermoscopy Meeting was endorsed by the International Dermoscopy Society and the Course Director Dr Ashfaq Marghoob, is also Course Director for the 15th annual American Dermoscopy Meeting in 2027.
“This conference is for clinicians at every stage of their dermoscopy journey from GPs and skin cancer doctors through to dermatologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, registrars and specialists,” he said.
“We live in paradise and I want to encourage doctors and nurses to move to Cairns so on day four we are taking the conference to the Great Barrier Reef to showcase the destination.
“I have enjoyed working with TPM Events and Pullman Cairns International and want to work with them again for the Australasian Dermoscopy Meeting 2027.”
TPM Events Senior Event Manager, Andrea Wicking, said it was exciting to develop a new national medical conference in Cairns and demonstrate what could be achieved by bringing together local expertise.
“This conference is a great example of what can happen when a strong local idea is matched with local business events expertise,” she said.
“Dr Rajeswaran had the vision to create a national meeting in Cairns, and our role was to turn that vision into a conference that could stand confidently on a national and international stage.
“From the outset, our focus was on taking that vision and turning it into a professionally delivered conference that showcased both the calibre of Cairns as a business events destination and the capability of the local businesses supporting it.
“Working closely with Dr Rajeswaran and the Pullman Cairns International team, we have brought together the right people, suppliers and expertise to deliver a high-end conference experience while remaining focused on the budget and the needs of the delegates.
“The strength of the program developed by Dr Rajeswaran and his colleagues, combined with the quality of the event experience, gives the Australasian Dermoscopy Meeting a strong foundation to grow as an annual Cairns event.”
TTNQ Contact: Liz Inglis | [email protected] | 0419 643 494
Image: The Daintree Pool Deck at Pullman Cairns International that will host the 2026 Australasian Dermoscopy Meeting.