A Message from the Chief Executive

The North Queensland Economic Summit in Cairns last week was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our region to national and international investors.

The confidence of the Queensland Government in Cairns once again delivering an outstanding performance was affirmed. The feedback from all was positive – many remarked that the Summit exceed their expectations.

But it’s not a given that this comes automatically.

We are sometimes the victim of our own good looks. We must ensure that we offer credible and worthwhile investment propositions that are well developed and well executed.

Ideas must be action.  The hard work now is to take these relationships forward.

To continue the connections and turn these into tangible long lasting investment relationships. To continue to develop a pipeline of quality opportunities to the market.

The world is awash with capital, looking for a quality place to invest. Let’s ensure that our region is at the forefront of opportunity, and that we continue to showcase more than just our charm and good looks.

Advance Cairns Christmas Cocktails

8th December 2015 - Shangri-la Hotel, Cairns

Invitations will soon be out for you to join us at this years Advance Cairns Christmas Cocktails.  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.  

Be sure to mark this in your diary.

We Need Your Help! Pacific Patrol Boat Tender

Cairns economic future needs your help!

We are asking you to take a lead role in fighting for Cairns bid for the $2 billion Pacific Patrol Boat tender.

It is the only bid from Queensland and Nortern Australia and if successful could reap economic benefits for decades to come in the shape of jobs and flow-on opportunities for local business and industry.

A model of the proposed vessel is on display for the next 2 weeks in the Cairns City Library (Abbott Street) and we encourage all members to take the time for a first hand viewing.

To learn more, download the following documents:-

• Capabilty Statement
• Cairns for the Win Jigsaw
• Cairns for the Win Sea Puzzle

Show your support today!

NQPHN Selected to trial new $485m opt-out e-Health System

Advance Cairns member, Northern Queensland PHN (Primary Health Network) has been selected as one of only two PHNs in Australia to trial the Federal Government’s “opt-out” new MyHealth Record from early 2016 for around 1 million Australians, as part of the planned $485m investment in e-health.  READ MORE

Invest Cairns

Recently The Cairns Post in conjunction with Advance Cairns produced Invest Cairns, a publication dedicated to the investment opportunities the region has to offer.  65,000 copies were circulated throught the Cairns Post, Australian newspaper in the CBD of Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin and into PNG via the Post-Courier.   To view an electronic version, please CLICK HERE.

Christmas in the City Promotion

The Cairns Post and Cairns Regional Council are bringing Christmas cheer to businesses from Gordonvale to Palm Cove.  Nominate your business and go crazy with decorations on your shop front for your chance to win a $10,000* advertising package.  MORE INFO

Australian Economic Outlook - A tough transition

Access a economic snapshot from ANZ Economist HERE.

Conference & Awards Success

Learn more about the inaugural News Corp Australia Tourism Innovation Conference and Intrust Super Tourism Industry Excellence Awards.  READ MORE

The Cairns Institute News

Access the latest news from The Cairns Institute HERE.

Business Development Funding Open

The Government's Advance Queensland Business Development Fund is now open to applications. The Fund is designed to help Queensland businesses commercialise cutting edge research or innovative ideas, products or services.Over the next four years, the fund will invest $40 million alongside private sector  co-investors to grow Queensland’s venture capital market and unlock businesses’ innovative potential.  LEARN MORE

Industry Growth Centres

A new Growth Centre established by the Australian Government To Build on Australia’s strengths in mining technology and innovation will ensure Australia’s mining equipment, technology and services sector is well placed to provide innovative solutions to the global resources sector.  READ MORE

State Infrastructure Plan

The draft State Infrastructure Plan (SIP), released on 26 October 2015, outlines a new strategic direction for the planning, investment and delivery of infrastructure in Queensland.
The draft identifies what the government ultimately wants from its infrastructure and how this can best be achieved.  The government is seeking specific feedback on the 5–15 year opportunities, implementation initiatives and responses contained in the draft plan by 4 December 2015.  The plan is available for view HERE

AIBC QLD - Indonesia Australia Business Summit

13 November 2015 - Canberra

The Business Summit will bring together Indonesian and Australian leaders from government and business including the Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb, the Indonesian Minister for Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti, and the Chairman of the Indonesian Investment Coordination Board Franky Sibarani.  This invitation is exclusive for Advance Cairns Members only, MORE INFO

The Age of Entrepreneurship

17 November 2015 - QUT Gardens Theatre, Brisbane

Australia's new Prime Minister has issued the nation a challenge: to become more entrepreneurial and innovative so we can keep improving our living standards in a more competitive world.  Future Working – The Age of Entrepreneurship is a Real World Conversation where these challenges will be analysed. And some solutions to the impediments to entrepreneurship will be identified. MORE INFO

How to Handle Employee Misconduct Seminar

17 November 2015 - WGC Lawyers, Cairns

Presented by John Hayward, WGC Lawyers Partner and Jessika Reghenzani this workshop will cover such topics as:

• What standards of behaviour are your employees required to meet?
• What is employee misconduct?
• Step-by-step procedure for handling misconduct.
• Can you suspend an employee during a misconduct investigation?

For more information or to book, EMAIL HERE

Change the Future Workshop

19 November 2015 - Doubletree Hilton, Cairns

Innovation turns dreams into business growth and differentiation.  But no matter what business you're in - from step ladders to space travel - unless you can map the 'big picture', you won't be able to shift your ideas from the drawing board to the launch pad and into the market.  MORE INFO

4th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum

20 November 2015 - Brisbane

Booking are now open for the 4th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum.  This forum is a great opportunity to get up to date information on trade, business opportunities and current events in Vanuatu, including an update on recovery from Cyclone Pam.  MORE INFO

Australia 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

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

25 November 2015 - Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
Business and local government organisations across Far North Queensland have the opportunity to learn about the potential benefits of energy efficiency.  Together with the Commonwealth Bank, the CEFC is hosting seminar lunches in Cairns on 25 November to focus on energy efficiency.  READ MORE

White Ribbon Day 2015

25 November 2015 - Australia wide Campaign

Stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.  

Take the Oath now by CLICKING HERE.

Capability Statement Workshop

25 November 2015 - Dept of State Development, Cairns

Stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of securing contracts by attending a Capability Statement workshop  LEARN MORE

3RD Annual Women in Leadership Summit

2nd-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.  LEARN MORE

Management Systems Workshop

3 December 2015 - Dept of State Development, Cairns

This workshop is designed to demystify Management Systems and show how to document your business systems to increase your success at winning work and drive continuous improvement.  LEARN MORE

ICN Gateway Profile Improvement Workshop

10 December 2015 - Shangri-la Hotel, Cairns

Industry Capability Network (ICN) Queensland is hosting ICN Gateway profile improvement workshops in Cairns.These three hour sessions are designed to help local suppliers maximise their chances of winning contracts through the provision of advice and assistance on how to enhance their company profile and expression of interest submissions.

Morning Session - Click HERE

Afternoon Session - Click HERE

BLA Careers and Employment Expo

26 May 2016 - Fred Moule Exhibition Centre, Cairns

The Careers and Employment Expo is the BLA's  signature and largest event attracting over 3,500 students from over 31 high schools across FNQ annually.  The whole-day event provides students with an opportunity to explore career and education year 13 pathways and direct access to the most up-to-date information provided by over 40 exhibitors.  MORE INFO

Not an Advance Cairns Member? Join Today

If you are interested in becoming a member of Advance Cairns, simply EMAIL our office and we will organise for one of our Board Directors to meet with you personally discuss ways in which we can work together to build a sustainable and prosperous TNQ.