The search for Asia-Pacific’s biggest ideas is officially underway, with Cairns Crocodiles presented by Pinterest calling on the brightest minds from across the creative, media and marketing industries to submit their boldest session ideas for the 2027 festival.
Taking place in Cairns, Australia, from Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 May 2027, the three-day event will enter its sixth year following a record-breaking 2026 event, further cementing its reputation as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s premier gatherings for creativity, marketing and media.
“People have already been chomping at the bit for us to open our Topics in the Tropics portal, with enquiries landing in my inbox week after week, so I’m already expecting big things for next year!” said Pippa Chambers, content director, Cairns Crocodiles.
“As we head into our sixth year, people who’ve been with us since the beginning will really see how far Cairns Crocodiles has evolved. The programme has become more ambitious, more global and more curated than ever before.”
You can submit your session idea HERE and buy your Ultra Early Bird price tickets HERE!
The 2026 programme featured a world-class line-up including Academy Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, advertising pioneer Sir Martin Sorrell, creator and host of the Uncensored CMO podcast Jon Evans, founder and chief strategy officer of hot shop Alien Baby and chief marketing officer of Idris Elba’s IE7, Paula Bloodworth, chief marketing officer at the United Nations Foundation David Ohana, longstanding visual director of the Chemical Brothers, Adam Smith, creative sociologist, bestselling author, CEO and creative director, Good Shout, Amy Kean, B&T Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, founder, author, Jane Evans – and more!
The festival’s Asia-Pacific footprint also continued to grow, welcoming senior leaders including Gill Zhou, former top marketer at IBM, Motorola and MD Condé Nast China, now chair of Shenzhen International Fashion Week, global executive creative director at Hakuhodo, Morihiko Hasebe, founder and soundsmith at BrandMusiqRajeev Raja, former CEO of BBH India Subash Kamath, chief marketing officers from IKEA Japan and also IKEA South Korea and many of the region’s most influential brands, agencies and creative businesses.
“Asia-Pacific is a huge strategic priority for Cairns Crocodiles, and we’re committed to finding and showcasing the very best talent from across the region,” said Rosie Oakshott, managing partner Cairns Crocodiles, The Misfits Media and B&T.
“We’re not just waiting for great conversations to come to us – we’re going out to find them. Since this year’s festival we’ve already been on the ground in Singapore and Japan, and later this month our content director, Pippa Chambers, will be attending MAD STARS in South Korea to continue meeting brands, agencies and creative leaders.”
The 2026 festival also saw the successful launch of its dedicated Film & Screen track, bringing together filmmakers, producers, marketers and entertainment executives for a full day of programming. Highlights included acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton, head of commercial, brand and digital at National Indigenous Television, Rhanna Collins, cinematographer Toby Oliver ACS, VP, global head of CTV brand and agency partnerships, Tubi, Suzanne Strasser Grant, and GM at COL Group International, Timothy Oh.
Sessions exploring the rise of microdramas, poptimism, distribution, the marriage of screen and marketing, and speakers from organisations including HBO, Entropico, RUSH Films, Tourism Australia, Hoyts, Melbourne International Film Festival and more, further broadened the festival’s creative offering.
“Launching Film & Screen this year exceeded all of our expectations,” said Nancy Hromin, director and owner, The Misfits Media Company, co-founder and editorial director, Irresistible Magazine, and co-curator of the Film & Screen track.
“The response from both the screen and marketing industries proved there’s a real appetite for conversations that sit at the intersection of entertainment, creativity and culture. We can’t wait to see what ideas the industry brings forward for year two.”
Last year almost 150 session submissions were entered through the Cairns Crocodiles Topics in the Tropics session submission portal, with only a handful ultimately making the programme.
“We’re looking for conversations that challenge convention, introduce us to people we’ve never heard from before and leave delegates thinking differently,” Chambers added.
“That might be a world-class speaker, an incredible brand story, an unexpected collaboration, a bold debate or an idea the industry simply isn’t having.”
Whether it’s a mainstage keynote or a session across one of the Building Brands, Rewilding Creativity, Film & Screen or Hemingway’s Brewery stages, submit your fresh, original and impossible to ignore idea RIGHT HERE.
Topics in the Tropics submissions are now open, and close on 31 October 2026. Successful submissions will form part of the Cairns Crocodiles presented by Pinterest programme, taking place in Cairns, Australia, from 25–27 May 2027.
Due to the volume of submissions, Cairns Crocodiles is unable to provide individual feedback. If you haven’t had a reply by 31 December 2026, your submission has unfortunately been unsuccessful.
TIPS FOR SUBMISSIONS:
- Only original session ideas will be considered.
- If you’re submitting a panel, there is a maximum of four speakers, including the moderator.
- Preference will be given to brand-side voices and diverse perspectives.
- Unless otherwise agreed, speakers must be willing and able to make their own way to Cairns and cover their own travel and accommodation costs.
- We understand these are suggestions only, so proposed speakers do not need to be confirmed before you submit. If you already know the speaker or feel you could help facilitate an introduction, please include this in your submission.
- Submissions close on 31 October 2026.
- Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we’re unable to provide individual feedback. If you haven’t heard from us by 31 December 2026, your submission has unfortunately been unsuccessful.
