Conference centre busy with Aussie farmers going for growth

The Cairns Convention Centre in Australia believes it is the perfect place for farmers and others involved in the agriculture industry to meet.

Nestled between two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, and is home to over 10,000 km2 of agricultural land.

With abundant fertile land and ample water supplies, agribusiness contributes AUS$2.5bn to the Cairns regional economy each year.

While the pandemic posed disruption in the supply of agro-food products, through labour shortages and logistical challenges, Cairns’ food and agriculture sector has responded to build resilience and accelerate growth.

With the world opening up again, the Cairns Convention Centre is experiencing a return of conferences and believes it is the ideal location for professionals and associations within the agribusiness sector to connect and learn.

Janet Hamilton, General Manager Cairns Convention Centre, sees a bright future ahead

“With travel confidence returning, it’s great to see associations and corporates confirming national and international events.

“Agriculture delegates can also benefit hugely from our local agribusiness industry and how it is utilising research and innovation to maximise growth opportunities.

“From the world’s first banana-based flour and the $173 million avocado industry, to the ground breaking research carried out by the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, there’s so much for delegates to experience.”

FNQ Growers President Joe Moro adds: “The region is renowned as an exceptional producer of quality fruit and vegetables, and is advancing to ensure long-term success.

“Some of this will be on the back of the new irrigation projects, whilst some will be based on the diversity and the ability of our farmers in far north Queensland to look at crop diversification”.

Vanilla farmer Fiona George, from Broken Nose Vanilla, recently held a biological farming conference in Cairns.

“The team of the Cairns Convention Centre were amazing, helpful and professional.

“It was a huge thing to do, as a volunteer, to organise a national conference, so to have a professional team behind me really gave me a lot of confidence.

“Some people thought that, for a farming conference, it was a little too nice, however when the delegates arrived they saw how amazing it was, with light, open spaces.” added Fiona.