From the Chief Executive

I have just returned from the Premier Palaszczuk’s Trade and Investment mission to China, accompanying our Mayor Bob Mannning, to meet with a range of business leaders who have an interest in trade and investment in our region.

What gives me great confidence is that our Australian and Cairns brands are strong in the Chinese market, representing high quality products and technical excellence and capacity in the provision of services.

There is opportunity for trade in both goods and services that matches the scale of business in our region. The key to developing solid long term relationships is to foster them early and continually work on the opportunities to success. Time in the market, and time in market!

We continue to advocate for the Port of Cairns and the ability for the port to develop as the city grows. We are pleased to see the broad support that sends a clear message that we want to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace with our population growth.

We have seen recent media suggesting that  there is a push for ‘mega industrial port’ development. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such emotional falsehood only serves to damage the credibility of these accusations.

The simple fact is that the Port of Cairns is a strategic port with a diverse range of operations and is critical to the economic sustainability of our region. Closing the port for future expansion will have a major impact on our economy.

Business Briefing with Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP

In early September, Advance Cairns in conjunction with the Cairns Chamber of Commerce were proud to host the Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull MP on matters relating to the rollout of Australia's NBN in the Cairns region.

This early engagement provided an opportunity to brief the Minister on the regional priorities that both organisations are collaboratively working on and we will continue to build on this relationship in his role as Prime Minister.

Advance Cairns Limited AGM

29th October 2015 - Hilton Hotel, Cairns

The Advance Cairns Limited AGM will be held at the Hilton Hotel from 5:00pm.  The formal notice will be distributed to Advance Cairns members by COB Wednesday 7th October 2015.

DATE CLAIMED: Advance Cairns Xmas Cocktails

8th December 2015 - Shangri-la Hotel, Cairns

Be sure to mark this one in your calendar now for the annual Advance Cairns Xmas Cocktails at the Shangri-la Hotel from 5pm.

This is an opportunity to reflect on the key achievements of 2015 and to  network with members, stakeholders and guests alike over a festive drink.

Projectory - Resource Tool

Projectory is an information service that provides sourcing opportunities and contacts for major projects in Australia and South East Asia.  Projectory provides news on the planning and development of major resource, construction, energy, infrastructure and defence projects in Australia typically worth more than $AUD30million.
For more information CLICK HERE TO VIEW.

The Hunt is on for Australia's Regional Online Heros!

Are you a regional business owner? If you're using the internet to grow, Google and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) want to hear your story!  RAI are looking for Australia’s top ten Regional Online Heroes from around Australia to fly to Google's HQ in Sydney for a money-can’t-buy Masterclass – to help you grow even faster!  ENTER NOW

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program now Live

Applications for the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program are now open.   The program supports collaboration and knowledge transfer by enabling small to medium size businesses to partner with universities to select graduates for specific projects in the businesses.

Grants of up to $50,000 (ex GST) per project are available to help businesses with the cost of hiring a graduate to work on an innovative project for 6 to 12 months.  MORE INFO

Asialink: Indonesia Country Starter Pack

As a member of the Australia Indonesia Business Council, Advance Cairns has access to Asialink’s Indonesia Country Starter Pack.  Asialink works with business, government, philanthropic and cultural partners to initiate and strengthen Australia-Asia engagement on all levels and across all sectors.

As an exclusive MEMBERS-ONLY Offer,  please contact our team for a copy of this report.

Labour Force Brief - August 2015

Cairns Statistical Area 4 (SA4) Labour Brief:  To access the full report: CLICK HERE

Rio Tinto - South of Embley Project EOIs

Advance Cairns welcomes the progress of the South of Embley project and the further development of the valuable bauxite reserves in Weipa region.  

Our regional businesses should keep informed of opportunites as this major project develops.  To view open EOI's, CLICK HERE.

How can Cairns support the Aquis Development?

Cairns Regional Council has prepared the attached document, promoting Cairns as a unique proposition, highlighting Cairns as a city for tourism, aviation, investment and regional job creation, and a city for living, and demonstrates the Aquis impact and opportunity.

To view the document, CLICK HERE.

National Innovation Map

The National Innovation Map drills down to major, regional and remote areas of Australia and shows:

• New business entry;
• Dollars spent on research and development;
• Patenting activity;
• Trademarking activity in the area;

Visit the National Innovation Map HERE.

Industry Skills Fund Update

From 1 September, businesses operating in or seeking to expand their operations into Northern Australia can receive additional support under the fund for accredited or non-accredited training. The fund will focus on promoting indigenous participation and encourage business to think of the opportunities for expanding operations to and within Northern Australia.  The fund reimburses the costs of training (co-contribution amount) that assists the business to take advantage of growth opportunities.  MORE INFO

Westpac Group CCIQ Pulse Survey - Sept Now Open

The Pulse Survey has been measuring Queensland business confidence and expectations for over 20 years. The survey is unchallenged in terms of being the most authoritative, timely and comprehensive snapshot of Queensland business sentiment. 

Survey closes 5pm 16th Oct and all responses go into the draw to win an iPad Mini - SURVEY

Have your say on Better Planning

Queenslanders are being urged to help shape their communities by having their say.  A draft Planning Bill has been released for comment. The Bill reforms the current Planning Act, and can be found with supporting materials HERE.

TIQ Breakfast - F&B Opportunities in North Asia

6th October 2015 - Brisbane

Are you interested in the latest information about Asian markets from the people who are on the ground, working for QLD exporters?  Unprecedented social and political change is creating opportunities in these markets, and the recent signing of Free Trade Agreements has only added to the interest of Australian exporters - but are these markets for you?

Join the Trade Commissioners for China, Korea and Japan as we discuss the emerging consumer trends and how the QLD Government is planning to support your efforts in these markets.  MORE INFO

2015 Queensland International Business Series

6-16th October 2015 - Brisbane

TIQ is organising and supporting a range of events in Brisbane and Regional Queensland hosted by bilateral chambers, industry groups and economic development groups, to view the program CLICK HERE.

WorkLink Stress Less Day Luncheon

7th October 2015 - Cairns Convention Centre

Worklink's Annual Stress Less Day Luncheon will be presenting Turia Pitt as this years guest speaker. The Luncheon boasts networking opportunities, trade stalls and most importantly working together to reduce the stigma associated with Mental Health. With 1 in 5 Australians associated with the ill-effects of Mental Health, it is up to all of us to provide support to our family, friends and colleagues to support their recovery. BOOK HERE

Public Meeting: Proposed 4 Year Parliamentary Terms

7th October 2015 - Reef Hotel Casino

The Qld Parliament Finance & Admin Committee will be holding a public meeting on 7th October 2015 at @ 2pm at the Reef Hotel Caisno, inviting public submissions and comment on proposed four (4) year parliamentary terms.

Please note this event is bipartisan and open to the public.  NO RSVP required.

Australia China Business Week 2015 Brisbane

8th October 2015 - Hilton Hotel - Brisbane

ACBW 2015 Brisbane is the only Australia-China focused event, and the largest Australia-China business event to occur in Brisbane.  With a series of high-profile presentations from key Australian and Chinese industry and government leaders, with a keynote address delivered by Qld Premier, The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP.  MORE INFO.

Australia China Business Council Seminar - How to do Social Media in China

9th October 2015 - Brisbane

China is the world’s most active social media market yet only a few foreign firms are truly activating their potential to engage with their Chinese customers. This informative event is not to be missed by Australian exporters; service providers particularly tourism and education; and companies planning to market projects or products in China.  MORE INFO

Advance Cairns is a member of ACBC - all Advance Cairns members can attend at  ACBC Member rate.

Cairns Chambe of Commerce Cape York Trade Mission

12-16th October 2015 - Cape York

With hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure projects approved for the Cape York Region and a raft of community development initiatives underway, opportunities abound for Cairns businesses to work with the people of Cape York to help develop their future.   For more information or to register your interest, CLICK HERE.

Australian Tax Office - Engaging with the Community

13th October 2015 - Pacific International Hotel, Cairns

The ATO is committed to delivering a better experience for small businesses and want to meet with you about your experience, their services and how to use them.  MORE INFO

22nd Australia Fiji Business Forum

15-17th October 2015 - Sydney

The 22nd Australia Fiji Business Forum, organised by the Australia Fiji Business Council and the Fiji Australia Business Council, will be held at the Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney, from 15 to 17 October 2015.  This year's theme is “Australia and Fiji: An Enduring Business Partnership”.  You are invited to register and attend HERE

Unlocking India and China Opportunities

16th October 2015 - BDO, Brisbane

Women in Global Business and ANZ invite you to the 9th Annual Speaker Series on Unlocking India & China opportunities.  This is an opportunity to talk to women who will inspire you to take your business to the world. Hear about challenges faced and learn how they are turned into success.  MORE INFO

FREE Event - Canakkale.Gallipoli. Lest We Forget

21st October 2015 -  Avenue of Honour Yungaburra

As part of the 2015 Tablelands Folk Festival, through the Qld Government and Tablelands Regional Council Regional Arts Development Fund, Storyteller/Musician/Writer Jan Wositzky is performing his highly acclaimed show Canakkale. Gallipoli. Lest We Forget presented at sunset at the Afghanistan Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra.  READ MORE

Australia PNG Business Council

23rd October 2015 - Sydney

The Kokoda Track Foundation is holding their annual RALPH HONNER ORATION DINNER.  The Oration will this year be delivered by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon Peter O’Neill MP.  The Council will book a table for members to attend this event.  If you wish to join the Council table for this Oration Dinner please complete this BOOKING FORM.

Send Hope Not Flowers Charity Luncheon

23rd October 2015 - Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

SEND HOPE NOT FLOWERS raises funds for life-saving maternal health programs in developing countries, particularly PNG.  BOOK HERE

Franchise Seminar - The New Code of Conduct

27th October 2015 - WGC Cairns

This seminar has been specifically designed for small business and will cover such topics as:

• Old Franchise Code vs New Franchise Code
• How it applies to Franchisees
• Disclosure
• Marketing Funds
• Transparency and Good Faith
• Release from Liability
• Dispute Resolution
• Enforcement and Fines

RSVPs essential - EMAIL WGC

CEDA Event - The disruptors

29th October 2015 - Brisbane

Big data, front end science and the application of the newest technologies are disrupting businesses, governments, professional services and our institutions right now.
Across sectors there are those who are working on the effects of disruption and those who are actively reinterpreting the future – what our economy, our business, our workplaces and our governments are to become – they are the disruptors. READ MORE

Advance Cairns members attend CEDA events at member rates.

NewsCorp Australia Tourism Innovation Conference

6th November 2015 - Cairns

The Tourism Innovation Conference will inspire, inform and motivate you to action.

Workshops led by savvy business leaders will present case studies that demonstrate outstanding innovation across eight disciplines; leadership and management, international marketing, distribution, digital for beginners and advanced, and domestic marketing.  See the full program and register HERE.

Australian Sociological Association Conference

23-26th November 2015 - The Cairns Institute

The 2015 Conference theme is 'Neoliberalism and Contemporary Challenges for the Asia-Pacific'. Hosted by TASA, JCU & The Cairns Institute from 23 – 26 November.

The Keynote Address - ‘Putting the social back into social sciences!’ by Professor Eva Cox will be held at the ShangriLa hotel ballroom from 5:30-6:30pm on 23rd November and is free and open to the public. MORE INFO

3rd Annual Women in Leadership Summit

2-3rd December 2015 - Brisbane

The 3rd Annual Women in Leadership Summit will gather Australia's most prominent directors, c-suite executives and decision-makers who reveal inspirational personal journeys to becoming influential leaders in their industries, and key strategies for advancing your career and refining your leadership skills.  MORE INFO

Advance Cairns Welcomes Platinum Members

 We are proud to welcome the following key partners as Advance Cairns Platinum Members:

• Cairns Airport
• Cairns Regional Council
• James Cook University
• Ports North

This membership level reflects the organisation's significant status and critical importance in the development of our region.