Cairns Convention Centre A Theme with Urgency
‘Future Proof’ was the theme of the meeting, and it framed the event around three pressing priorities: environmental, workforce, and personal sustainability. For Dr Andrew Potter, Cairns-based anaesthetist and chair of the Regional Organising Committee, these pillars captured a shared ambition: “These were equally important. Bringing them together under the theme of Future Proof helped frame our shared goal of protecting the future of our profession, and our planet.”
From the outset, the Cairns Convention Centre worked with ANZCA to translate this vision into practice. Delegates noted the shift: from reusable cutlery and locally sourced produce to energy-efficient operations and moments that connected them to the natural environment of Far North Queensland.
“The efforts made by Cairns Convention Centre to promote sustainability during the meeting were noted and appreciated by delegates,” Dr Potter said. “It reinforced the key messages we wanted to deliver.”
Flexibility, Authenticity & Flow
Delivering such a complex programme demanded versatility. Jan Sharrock, ANZCA’s Executive Director of Fellowship Affairs, described the scale: “We had 1,946 in-person delegates and 263 contributors delivering over 55 sessions and 115 workshops. The versatility of the Centre’s spaces helped us deliver this seamlessly and with an enhanced delegate experience.”
A standout achievement was hosting more than 110 workshops in a single day. “The Cairns Convention Centre team was flexible with our requests, understood the delivery needs, and adapted as required. It’s not something we see, or say, all the time,” Sharrock added.
For Janet Hamilton, General Manager of the Cairns Convention Centre, this responsiveness reflects a deliberate approach: “Our approach is built on partnership. We see ourselves as an extension of the organising team, and that mindset is what allows us to respond quickly and effectively to changing needs on the ground.”
In addition, the programme was infused with regional authenticity. Local leadership from Cairns Hospital and the anaesthetic department shaped discussions, grounding the scientific agenda in the realities of healthcare outside metropolitan centres.
ANZCA President Professor David Story underlined the importance of this: “As a college, our commitment is to ensure all fellows and trainees have access to high quality education, research, and science. This should not be determined only by access to large metropolitan cities. We also want to provide opportunities for our regional members to convene an ASM and feel the pride and satisfaction of showcasing their skills, quality of care, and region to delegates nationally and internationally.”
ANZCA ASM 2025 by the Numbers
- Delegates: 1,946 in person
- Speakers & Facilitators: 263
- Workshops: 115 (including 110+ in a single day)
- Carbon Emissions Offset: 287.62 tonnes
- Food Donations: Unserved catering delivered to YouthLink charity
- Waste Generated: 0.84 kg per attendee per day (55% less than average)
Funds Raised for Environmental & Charitable Partners: $10,000+
Beyond the Meeting Room
Delegates were encouraged to connect with the region beyond the walls of the Convention Centre. A guided visit to the Cairns Aquarium, led by marine biologist Jennie Gilbert, linked conference themes to conservation and anaesthesia in marine life. The Emerging Leaders Conference at Thala Beach, and charitable donations to local organisations, added depth and community engagement.
“These optional activities helped reinforce our theme and provided depth to the delegate experience,” Sharrock noted. “They also created an appreciation for the unique contributions of regional professionals.”
The Welcome to Country by Gavin Singleton proved especially memorable. “His message was passionate and beautifully aligned with the Future Proof theme,” recalled Dr Potter. “He highlighted the importance of country, culture, and sustainability in ways that will stay with our delegates for years.”
Sustainability in Action
The ASM also set a new standard for sustainable conferencing in Australia. Over 21,500 disposable cups were saved by implementing a no-consumables policy, while prepared but unserved food was donated to local charity YouthLink. Delegates offset 173.99 tonnes of carbon emissions, with ANZCA covering the balance to reach 287.62 tonnes in total, alongside more than $10,000in contributions to environmental and charitable partners.
According to MeetGreen’s data, the event generated just 0.84 kilograms of waste per attendee per day – 55% less than the average event. As Hamilton put it: “It is important as an industry that both clients and venues look for ways to be leaders in delivering sustainable events. It was a privilege to work with ANZCA on a program where sustainability wasn’t just a theme, but a lived experience across catering, logistics, and delegate engagement.”
Professor Story concludes with pride: “Feedback from delegates has been extremely positive, including some of our international speakers saying it was quite possibly the best meeting they had been to in a very long time, maybe ever.”
More information on how Cairns Convention Centre can help you deliver impactful conferences on cairnsconvention.com.au