Marketing the unique tropical knowledge and services in northern and central Queensland to international aid project co-ordinators will be the focus of the Australian Tropical Expertise Consortium Business Matching Roadshow, which will kick off in Cairns next week.

The Roadshow will roll through Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton on three consecutive days starting from Tuesday, December 8 in Cairns. It will bring an array of Australian Managing Contractors (AMCs) and project co-ordinating firms to the regions to meet with Tropical Expertise service providers and share with them the intricacies of engaging with such firms, how to procure international aid work, and the ins and outs of working in-country.

Companies presenting on the Roadshow, which is being co-ordinated by Advance Cairns in partnership with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, include Uniquest, Queensland University of Technology, JTA International, Cardno (PNG division), Trade Queensland and McLeod Training Organisation.

International aid projects in the developing world are administered by firms, such as the ones represented on the Roadshow, who subcontract organisations to complete assignments of varying budgets and timeframes. Northern and central Queensland professionals have been recognised by leading Australian Managing Contractor firms as among the best experts for international development projects in tropical countries.

This event was first held in Cairns in November 2008 and attracted more than 70 participants. Several Queensland companies, with unique Tropical Expertise, who attended have since been invited on international tenders by AMCs they met on the day.

CAIRNS – Tuesday, December 8 @ the Shangri-La Hotel from 8:15am – 1:30pm. Cost $44. Click here to register.

TOWNSVILLE – Wednesday, December 9 @ Rydges Southbank from 8:15am – 1:30pm. Cost $44. Click here to register.

ROCKHAMPTON – Thursday, December 10 @ Rockhampton Leagues Club from 8:45am – 2pm. Cost $44. Click here to register.

Advance Cairns’ renewed regional focus has been solidified with the launch of a new corporate image for the organisation.

The economic development agency has adopted a fresh corporate image anchored with the tagline, “Our Region One Voice”, which reinforces its commitment to operating in a truly regional manner. 

Earlier this year Advance Cairns signed an agreement with the Far North Queensland Region of Councils (FNQROC) to work in partnership to facilitate sustainable economic development growth for the region, which encompasses the local government areas of Cassowary Coast, Yarrabah, Cairns, Tablelands, Wujal Wujal and Cook. The agreement included the appointment of a Regional Development Officer to support and facilitate robust economic linkages between Cairns and the surrounding council areas.

The impetus for the new logo, which was designed by local graphic design and branding company Smart Artz, effectively re-brands the organisation in this time of growth.

Advance Cairns Communication Committee Chairman Jeremy Blockey said, “The process of reviewing our brand and what we do has been extremely valuable for the organisation. The new logo is just one manifestation of that, and I trust that as Advance Cairns gets involved in new regional initiatives, the people of Tropical North Queensland will come to increasingly recognise the organisation and see the benefits arising from our activities.”

The current Advance Cairns logo has been in existence for quite a few years and is no longer indicative of the new purpose and geographical reach of the organisation. This re-branding exercise carries with it the following objectives:

• To communicate to Advance Cairns’ target audiences that it is an organisation with a wider-reaching geographical demographic than the company name suggests;
• To deliver a strong corporate identity for an organisation that is progressive, proactive and successful;
• To revitalise the company’s logo in order to demonstrate Advance Cairns’ new-found regionality; and
• To convey to the general public, the Tropical North Queensland business community, and all levels of government that

Advance Cairns is the over-arching organisation charged with the task of advocating for TNQ, co-ordinating regional efforts to bolster the region’s economy, and facilitating and fostering the development of new and existing business opportunities.