Cairns Convention Centre Launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026–2028

Cairns Convention Centre has unveiled its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026–2028, marking a major commitment to embedding reconciliation across every aspect of the Centre’s operations and the delegate experience.

Developed in consultation with Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Elder Professor Henrietta Marrie, the Innovate RAP has received endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.

The Centre aims to create lasting economic and social value for Cairns by attracting national and international conventions. Its vision for reconciliation is an Australia where First Nations Peoples, cultures, and histories are embraced as an essential part of every event experience, guided by respect, equality, and truth telling.

General Manager Janet Hamilton said the Centre is committed to making reconciliation both visible and meaningful for delegates visiting Cairns: “Cairns Convention Centre is proud to launch our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, which sets a clear path for embedding reconciliation into how we work, who we partner with and how we welcome the world.”

“This plan strengthens our commitment to creating employment pathways for First Nations Peoples, growing procurement with First Nations owned businesses, and continuing to build a culturally safe and welcoming space for everyone who walks through our doors. Through authentic storytelling, art, food and experiences, we want delegates to connect with the richness of First Nations cultures, and we want our industry to see reconciliation as something we do, not just something we say.” 

The Centre sits between two UNESCO World Heritage sites and within a region home to 18 First Nations groups, making cultural engagement central to its identity and role as host of major conferences.

Professor Henrietta Marrie highlights the RAP’s importance: “This Innovate RAP is an opportunity to continue building a strong relationship based on listening, truth telling and respect for Country and culture.”

“When an organisation like the Cairns Convention Centre commits to reconciliation in practical ways, through employment, partnerships, cultural safety and the stories shared with visitors, it helps create a more informed and respectful meeting place. It also creates opportunities for First Nations voices, knowledge and businesses to be part of how people connect here,” Professor Marrie said.
 

Cairns Convention Centre RAP Innovate Artwork, "Reef Connections" by Elverina Johnson

The Innovate RAP outlines 17 actions and 82 deliverables across Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, and Governance. Initiatives include:

• Cultural awareness training for staff
• A First Nations inspired menu in partnership with Professor Marrie
• Increasing bush medicine plants in the Centre’s garden
• Sharing First Nations stories through digital platforms and event programming
• Procurement strategies to boost engagement with First Nations suppliers
• Partnering with First Nations owned businesses for delegate gifts and promoting tours and experiences

The RAP is championed by Janet Hamilton and supported by a dedicated Reconciliation Working Group (RWG).

Symbolic representation features in the Centre’s commissioned artwork, Reef Connections, by local First Nations artist Elverina Johnson. The piece celebrates deep cultural ties to land and sea, particularly of the Gungganji and Yidinji people of Yarrabah and Cairns, reflecting traditional hunting and gathering practices and the interconnectedness of reef, ocean, mangroves, and land. The artwork is displayed prominently in the main foyer.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Cairns Convention Centre stands. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples visiting the Centre.

The Cairns Convention Centre is a purpose-built venue located in the heart of tropical North Queensland, Australia, on the cusp of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Constructed in 1995 and with several refurbishments and expansions over the years, the vast, modern Centre features a 2,300-seat auditorium, a 5,000-seat arena, 440-seat plenary, 23 breakout meeting rooms, a ballroom for up to 500 guests and an outdoor terrace with breathtaking views over Trinity Inlet.
 

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