If you think Cairns Crocodiles presented by Pinterest is just about what’s happening on stage, think again. Now that the eagerly anticipated Pinterest Welcome Party theme has been revealed, delegates should be turning their attention to locking in everything else happening around Cairns Crocodiles.
Beyond the headline speakers and packed agenda sits an entire program of experiences, parties, dinners and networking moments that are just as important to plan for and they are filling up fast.
Welcome to Cairns Extra. SEE ALL CAIRNS EXTRA EVENTS HERE.
Running alongside the three-day conference from Tuesday, 12 May to Thursday, 14 May, Cairns Extra is the festival’s curated program of social events, partner activations and exclusive experiences taking place across the city.
“From yacht parties and beachfront dinners to long lunches, cocktail events and late-night celebrations, it is where real connection, conversation and deal-making happens,” said Rosie Oakshott, managing director, B&T and Cairns Crocodiles.
The catch is, while several events are open to all, delegates cannot just turn up and attend all Cairns Extra events. Many of the most in-demand events, including private dinners, boat experiences and premium partner activations, require guests to register their interest in advance, due to limited capacity and carefully curated guest lists.
“In other words, if it is not already in your diary, you might miss out,” Oakshott added.
From Bucky’s Trivia presented by News to networking group for queers in ads, Friends of Rhonda’s meetup, to AANA and Integral Ad Science’s gathering at Whiskey and Wine, delegates are spoilt for choice more than ever before.
The week kicks off with a series of high-demand Monday night events, including exclusive dinners and invite-only gatherings, before rolling into a packed Tuesday schedule that culminates in the iconic Pinterest Welcome Party.
From there, Wednesday becomes the peak of Cairns Extra, with multiple overlapping events across the city, from strategic lunches to island experiences and curated networking moments, all competing for attention.
“Just a reminder that Cairns Extra events are designed to sit around the core conference program, not compete with it,” said Cairns Crocodiles content director Pippa Chambers.
“They are carefully curated to ensure there are no clashes with the world-class sessions and speakers taking place across the Cairns Convention Centre and Hemingway’s presented by News Australia.
Come Thursday, as well as the newly revealed TikTok lunch and learn at the Conference Centre, there’s of course the final closing party, but by then, the smartest attendees will have already mapped their week well beyond the conference sessions.
“The message is simple,” added Oakshott.
“Treat Cairns Extra like you would the main agenda by planning it, prioritising it and register early to avoid disappointment.”
For more on Cairns Extra, see here.
To check out speakers, see here.
To view the full agenda, see here.
