AN ANAESTHETIST association meeting in Cairns attended by 1,900 has been described as the city’s most prestigious medical conference to date with achievements in innovation, sustainability and community collaboration.
The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Annual Scientific Meeting at Cairns Convention Centre in May marked the second time the event has been held in the north Queensland city – the last being over 16 years ago.
The five-day event featured 263 speakers and facilitators, and more than 115 workshops under the conference theme of Future Proof – exploring ways in which anaesthesia, pain, and perioperative medicine can be adapted to meet future challenges.
From the outset, Cairns Convention Centre worked closely with the ANZCA team, led by local Chair of the Regional Organising Committee, Dr Andrew Potter, to bring the them to life in a setting that embodied sustainability and regional pride.
ANZCA collaborated with the centre to ensure a reduced environmental footprint, from the use of reusable cutlery and locally sourced produce to energy efficient venue operations and thoughtful delegate experiences that connected attendees with the natural beauty of Far North Queensland.
HIGHLIGHTS
– 1,900+ delegates, 263 speakers, and 115+ workshops across five days– 21,500 cups saved through a no-consumables policy
– 287.62 tonnes of carbon offset, with $6,324 donated to Greenfleet
– AU$3,900 donated to climate-focused charities
– Waste reduced by 55%, averaging just 0.84 kg per attendee/day
– Surplus food donated to YouthLink, supporting local community needs
– Conference supported by Queensland Government Partner Funding and the Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Bid Fund
“The efforts made by Cairns Convention Centre to promote sustainability during the meeting were noted and appreciated by delegates,” said Potter. “It reinforced the key messages we wanted to deliver.”
Jan Sharrock, ANZCA’s Executive Director of Fellowship Affairs, said: “We had 1,946 in-person delegates and 263 contributors delivering over 55 sessions and 115 workshops. The versatility of the centre’s spaces helped us deliver this seamlessly and with an enhanced delegate experience.”
One major achievement was accommodating over 110 workshops in a single day, a logistical feat made possible through the centre’s dynamic room configurations and proactive team.” said Sharrock.
From the very beginning, the planning process was engaging and thoughtful. It was the small touches too, like a couch and gifts in the event room, or care shown in guiding an elderly delegate, that made all the difference.”
– Jan Sharrock, ANZCA
For Dr Potter, a Cairns-based anaesthetist, convening the ASM in his hometown was both a professional and personal milestone.
Sharrock added: “The involvement of Cairns Hospital’s leadership and the local anaesthetic department was instrumental. Their input infused the scientific program with a grounded and authentic perspective on the realities of regional healthcare.”
Delegates had the opportunity to participate in optional excursions that deepened their connection to the region and its expertise. A standout experience was the guided tour of the Cairns Aquarium led by marine biologist Jennie Gilbert, where attendees explored turtle conservation and anaesthesia in marine life.
Other activities, such as charitable donations to local organisations and the Emerging Leaders Conference held at the coastal Thala Beach, fostered moments of reflection and inspiration while reinforcing ANZCA’s commitment to integrating community and culture into the delegate experience.
Feature… Let your groups dive into Cairns
“These optional activities helped reinforce our theme and provided depth to the delegate experience,” said Sharrock. “They also created an appreciation for the unique contributions of regional professionals.”
The event implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy that produced measurable impact. Over 21,500 disposable cups were saved from landfill by adopting a no-consumables policy. Instead, all catering used glassware, crockery, and even edible containers, significantly reducing single-use waste.
Carbon offsetting was a major focus. Delegates collectively offset 173.99 tonnes of carbon emissions, and ANZCA contributed up to $2,500 to cover any gap, resulting in a total offset of 287.62 tonnes and a financial contribution of AU$6,324 to Greenfleet. An additional $3,900 was donated to charity partners supporting climate and sustainability initiatives.
According to data collected in collaboration with MeetGreen, the conference generated just 0.84 kilograms of waste per attendee per day – 55 per cent less than the average event.
