Despite the content not officially starting at Cannes in Cairns, Presented by Pinterest, until today, Monday night was packed with a series of highly coveted Cairns Extras.
From a super-selective invite-only dinner at the wharfside Ochre to gorgeous networking drinks atop Rocco’s at Crystalbrook Riley with Tripadvisor, the first round of Cairns Extras had it all. Here’s what guests got up to.
Cairns Crocodiles Jury Dinner
Following a strenuous day of live judging, our esteemed panel of judges for the inaugural Cairns Crocodiles Awards decamped to the stunning Ochre restaurant on Cairns’ beautiful wharfside.
It was a veritable who’s who of APAC adland. Guests included Anneliese Douglass, director of marketing and communications AUNZ, Nestlé; Anny Havercroft, head of global business marketing South East Asia, TikTok, Leandro Perez, senior vice president, CMO APAC, Salesforce and Yash Gandi, head of marketing, Baida Poultry. Even Josh Faulks, CEO of the AANA was there.
Also in attendance were our advisory board, consisting of the finest marketing science brains in the business. System1’s Andrew Tindall, Navigare’s Jeff Estok and Robert Brittain all made the trip to Tropical North Queensland, too.
On the menu? Aside from the spicy debate about which of our exceptional entrants made worthy winners, there was a delectable menu. For entrees, the jury could choose between a salmon mi-cuit, pork belly or ricotta gnocchi. For mains, there was a choice between a baked saddletail snapper fillet, lamb backstrap or beef sirloin. For dinner, there was a chocolate and Davidson plum tart, lemon myrtle and macadamia meringue or a selection of local cheeses.
With a lineup like that in Ochre, it’s safe to say that it was the most powerful dinner in adland and the inaugural Cairns Crocodiles Awards on Thursday look set to be an absolute cracker.
Samsung Haus Opening Party
What happens in Cairns stays in Cairns! As the sun went down on a glorious day in far North Queensland, top marketers from across the country tackled the age-old question of just where those ad dollars should be going. But if you weren’t there, you’ll never know — because that convo is on permanent lockdown.
What we can spill is that this year’s Cannes In Cairns delegates know how to shut down the Haus in style! With Negroni’s flowing and beats dropping, over 100 of you partied with us for an epic night. Samsung Haus was buzzing with energy, making it the ultimate spot for networking and fun. Cheers to unforgettable moments!
Here’s what Samsung Ads’ head of APAC marketing Brigitte Slattery on last night’s festivities.
While the official Cannes in Cairns conference starts tomorrow, festivities kicked off a night early with the Samsung Ads ‘Welcome Party’, to ensure everyone got into the Cannes in Cairns spirit. And what better way to combat a day of travelling than with a drink and canapé in hand? Held at the Samsung Ads Haus, the official hub for Samsung Ads during Cannes in Cairns, the venue was a perfect way for partygoers to get their bearings, as Samsung Ads Haus is conveniently located at the Wharf Street Precinct (mere minutes away from where the conference is being held at the Cairns Convention Centre).
To kick off both the official opening of Samsung Ads Haus and the Cannes In Cairns event, attendees were not only presented with roving canapés and exclusive welcome cocktails on arrival, but their very own pair of Samsung Ads branded Crocs to ensure they could enjoy the night in comfort.
Guests were then treated to Samsung Haus’s own dedicated DJ whose upbeat tracks were the perfect backdrop as the sun set over the panoramic views of the Cairns waterline and revellers chatted and danced into the evening. Samsung Ads Haus will be open for the duration of the conference. Events will happen each evening, but the space is also open during the day, for conference attendees to refuel and recharge or to have a chat with any member of the Samsung Ads team. Check out the daily schedule over the next two days here: Join Us for Cannes in Cairns.
Tripadvisor’s Rooftop Drinks
Is there a better way to begin Cannes in Cairns than drinks at the stunning Rocco’s rooftop bar? We think not.
Roccos is Cairns’ highest rooftop bar. Set atop the luxurious Crystalbrook Riley, it offers unparalleled views of the Queensland coast and the Coral Sea. As the home of travel, it was fitting that Tripadvisor hosted its welcome drinks amid such a world-famous backdrop.
Excited guests were eager to get this year’s conference underway. After travelling up a mysterious elevator, lifts were greeted by a world-class view. Tripadvisor’s senior director of media, destinations, hotels and growth Justin Reid welcomed guests with a few words.
He revealed that this was not only his first Cainnes in Cairns but his first trip to Australia altogether. Guests enjoyed the rest of the evening chatting away whilst nibbling on a selection of mouth-watering canapes and Tripadvisor-branded cocktails.
Welcome To Boomtown
The industry’s finest descended upon the Wolf Lane Distillery for Boomtown’s Welcome Party.
Attending the gala event were luminaries such as IKEA’s head of marketing Kirsten Hasler, Media Federation of Australia CEO Sophie Madden, IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan and PR queen (and former B&T editor) Rochelle Burbury. 
Boomtown, a sponsor for this year’s event, advocates for investment in regional media, helping brands connect with the 9.6 million Aussies who live outside of the nation’s capital cities.
Cairns, with a population of nearly more than 175,000, is one of the 14 ‘Boomtown’ regional cities in Australia, with some of the most start-ups per capita, and a gross regional product of $19.81 billion.
