The new-look Cairns Convention Centre will host its first event this week, as part one of the venue’s $176 million redevelopment is completed.

The centre’s existing arena and auditorium spaces have now been fully renovated, as well as the public spaces, foyers and meeting rooms throughout the venue.

Spice were among the first to see the centre’s newly renovated spaces as part of Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s revamped annual showcase BE Immersed.

Behind the scenes, the venue’s IT and audio visual systems have been upgraded, while fresh carpets and paint work, new seating and updated entry points are among the more noticeable changes.

During our exclusive walk-through of the centre, the team were adding final touches to the foyer areas and digital signage was being tested.

The first delegates to experience the refurbished centre will arrive this week for the Australian Banana Industry Conference, taking place on 12-14 May.

Cairns Convention Centre general manager Janet Hamilton said staff were looking forward to getting back to delivering events.

“The centre’s building management systems, security systems and air conditioners are being checked and tested ahead of our first events,” she said,

“The refurbishment has seen the centre upgrade its IT and AV equipment, and the teams have begun training and testing these new systems.”

Part two of the project is now underway, which will see the centre expanded towards the Trinity Inlet with more than 10,000 square metres of new-build meeting and exhibition space.

The Trinity Terrace is set to become a major drawcard for the venue, offering an outdoor space overlooking the inlet.

Once complete, the new spaces will enable the centre to host up to three different events simultaneously, which will be a strong advantage for the region.

Cairns Convention Centre has already secured a strong line-up of events, including the Soil Science Conference (28 June – 2 July),  the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Winter Symposium (26-30 July), the FNQ Emergency Services Ball (7 August), The Australian and New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society Conference (27-29 October) and the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons Workshop (9-14 October).

“With COVID causing the postponement of some events, we still have an exciting calendar for 2021, and 2022 is looking strong,” said Hamilton.

View the centre’s refurbished and upcoming spaces here.