Combining exceptional venues, iconic experiences, and world-class event delivery, Australia Next 2024 demonstrated why Australia is a top-tier destination for incentive travel.
Brought to you by Business Events Australia
Business Events Australia’s premier incentive showcase, Australia Next (formerly known as Dreamtime), was held from November 8 to 11, 2024 in Cairns / Gimuy in partnership with Business Events Cairns a Great Barrier Reef.
As international buyers, media and Australian industry sellers gathered, the event highlighted Australia’s unique incentive offerings for programmes, combining stunning natural settings, innovative infrastructure, and strong sustainability initiatives to captivate and inspire international business events decision-makers.
The Cairns / Gimuy advantage
Cairns / Gimuy’s combination of world-class event infrastructure, breathtaking natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, and a compact, easily accessible city layout, made it the perfect choice for Australia Next 2024.
With its cutting-edge facilities and eco-conscious design, the newly redeveloped Cairns Convention Centre provided a modern venue for the Business Session component. Outside the conference space, the region’s diverse venues provided unique backdrops for off-site and networking events, highlighting their capabilities to deliver memorable experiences.
A programme of unforgettable moments
The Australia Next 2024 programme delivered two days of exceptional events, showcasing Tropical North Queensland’s unique venues, warm hospitality, and world-class event delivery capabilities for incentive programmes.
Highlights included the Welcome Event at The Sugar Shed at Yorkeys Knob Cane Farm, hosted by Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, in partnership with Tourism & Events Queensland. Set amid Tropical North Queensland’s sugarcane fields, the venue combined rustic charm and modern facilities, offering sugarcane cocktails and BBQ delights to create an unforgettable Queensland-inspired experience.
The Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Showcase provided delegates with the opportunity to experience firsthand the region’s unique and immersive offering. Highlights included a scenic helicopter adventure and private charter of the Reef Magic pontoon at the Great Barrier Reef; a scenic rail journey through World Heritage-listed rainforest into the village of Kuranda; getting up close to a koala at Rainforestation Nature Park; and quad bike riding through KUR-Cow Barnwell Farm, to name just a few.
The host city programme concluded with the spectacular Australia Next Dinner at the Tanks Arts Centre, set in historic concrete tanks within the lush surrounds of Cairns Botanic Gardens. The venue’s distinctive blend of industrial history and tropical beauty provided an unforgettable setting, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
A commitment to sustainability
Business Events Australia via Australia Next 2024 reaffirmed its dedication to sustainability by once again achieving carbon-neutral certification through Climate Active, one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral certifications available.
Business Events Australia’s carbon offset investments included supporting land restoration and job creation through the Talisker project in Western Australia, and empowering communities and local landowners to protect their natural heritage via the Guatemalan Conservation Coast project.
As a farewell gift, Business Events Australia planted a tree on behalf of every Australia Next buyer and journalist via the Daintree Rainforest Restoration programme and locally in Cairns, the event utilised electric buses throughout the programme, showcasing a commitment to integrating sustainable practices at every level.
Survey results highlight event success
According to post-event survey results, Australia Next 2024 in Cairns / Gimuy was a success, with 100 per cent of buyers satisfied with the overall event and more likely to send travellers to Australia post their experience.
These outstanding results underscore the event’s effectiveness in showcasing Australia’s capabilities for hosting world-class events and incentives, reaffirming its position as a premier business events destination, and to drive demand for future incentive business.
“This was my first visit to Cairns. There were a lot of expectations, especially knowing how Business Events Australia always delivers exceptional experiences. True enough, the experience was amazing, from the warm welcome at Cairns Airport to the gorgeous farewell dinner at The Tanks Arts Centre,” said Eileen Phua, director of sales, groups and MICE, The Travel Corporation
For more information on planning your next event in Australia visit www.australia.com/businessevents or contact the team: Edward Kwek, senior business events manager, South East Asia, ekwek@tourism.australia.com
