Six franchise conferences are being held in Cairns, Australia in 2026 and set to attract 3,450 delegates to Tropical North Queensland. They include the Body Fit Conference which has returned for the second year in a row.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Partnerships and Events general manager Tara Bennett said multiple franchises were choosing Cairns for their annual conference allowing busy franchise owners to combine Tropical North Queensland holiday with their business commitments.
“Since the National Franchise Convention for 360 was held at the Cairns Convention Centre in May 2024, attention has turned to our destination for its ability to deliver a world-class business event in an international destination,” she said.
Cairns has attracted 13 franchise conferences bringing more than 6,000 delegates who injected $27m into the region. The 2024 Hungry Jack’s National Convention was among the larger franchise conferences with 950 delegates.
“Food outlets, pool shops, pharmacies, builders and gyms are among the diverse franchises to combine business with pleasure at conferences held at the Cairns Convention Centre and CBD hotels,” Bennett added, noting that delegates enjoy bringing their families to enjoy a pre- or post-conference getaway in the only place where two World Heritage areas are side by side.
Cairns can cater for events ranging from 75 delegates to 1,000 and offers offsite functions in unique venues including repurposed World War II fuel tanks and a timber mill.
The 2026 Carpet Court Australia Conference for 600 delegates mixed education and an exhibition with networking across venues including the Cairns Convention Centre, Crystalbrook Flynn, Hemingway’s Brewery, and The Tanks Art Centre.
Event organiser Rebecca Sullivan from Impact said delegates were given a day off in the middle of the conference to give members time to absorb the content.
“This was one of the most repeated positives in the event’s feedback with delegates heading to the Great Barrier Reef, joining a coach trip for a day out in Port Douglas, or golfing at Yorkey’s Knob,” she said.
Bennett said the ability for a brand to take over a compact city like Cairns was also a drawcard.
