The Misfits Media Company has taken home one of the industry’s most prestigious honours, winning Regional Event of the Year for Cairns Crocodiles Presented by Pinterest at the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) Awards.
The judges recognised Cairns Crocodiles for its industry impact, creative innovation, sustainability program, operational excellence and outstanding contribution to the Cairns region.
The event, which first launched as Cannes in Cairns in 2022 before adopting its new name two years later, has rapidly evolved into the Southern Hemisphere’s most exciting gathering for media, advertising, creativity and brand innovation.
The event was run by The Misfits Events Agency, which is the agency of record for the likes of US data giant Snowflake, leading work operating system Monday.com, telco business Vodafone, enterprise software SAP and many more.
Headed up by Chloe Noel De Kerbrech, chief customer officer at The Misfits Agency, she said the agency not only delivered the event flawlessly, but also executed standout brand activations for clients including ESPN, Twitch, Samsung and more.
“As the heartbeat of the production, The Misfits Agency ensured every detail ran seamlessly,” said De Kerbrech.
“Running an event of this scale takes obsession, stamina and a ridiculous amount of teamwork. From world-class stage production to unforgettable brand experiences, our crew showed up with everything they had. This award is a testament to their talent and commitment.”
The award relates to the 2024 edition, which delivered record-breaking attendance with 1,650+ delegates from 552 companies, a 20 per cent year-on-year increase, and attracted some of the industry’s most influential leaders.
“We are thrilled with this award, the growth of the event and the industry support for Cairns Crocodiles,” said Misfits Media co-founder David Hovenden. “To be recognised at this level reinforces everything we have been striving for, and we are only just getting started. Yes, 2024 was epic, and in 2025 we hit more than 2,000 people, so roll on 2026.”
In 2024, Cairns Crocodiles generated more than $6 million in direct economic impact for the Cairns City Council region, with delegates extending their stays and investing in local tourism, hospitality and experiences.
The MEA submission was praised for its depth, clarity and operational sophistication. With more than 2,000 pre-production hours and 1,000 creative service hours, Crocs demonstrated high-level project planning, resource management and delivery.
The festival’s signature experiences included the Pinterest Welcome Party, Samsung Ads Haus, and 22 off-site Cairns Extra events. It also included the debut of the Cairns Crocodile Awards, which were praised for redefining what a regional industry festival can be.
Sustainability initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics, repurposing materials, partnering with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and donating excess items to Mission Australia helped Crocs stand out even further.
Attendees rated the event exceptionally highly, with more than 95 per cent describing the experience as outstanding, and sponsors calling it “the best industry conference in Australia”.
“This award means an enormous amount to the entire Misfits team,” Hovenden said. “We built Cairns Crocodiles on ambition, to create something unforgettable, something that genuinely lifts the industry, and something that brings real value to Cairns.”
With new Asia Pacific expansion, growing global partnerships and a rapidly rising international audience, Cairns Crocodiles Presented by Pinterest continues to cement itself as one of the most ambitious and influential festivals in the region.
Want to know what is in store for Cairns Crocodiles 2026? Buy tickets HERE. Check out the website here and explore the speaker lineup revealed so far.
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