Important Update: Our Regions Rising Qld event, originally scheduled for Wednesday, 19 March 2025, has been rescheduled to 19 June 2025 and will now take place at the Cairns Convention Centre. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding!
Since 2019, the Regional Australia Institute’s (RAI) Regions Rising series has been the leading platform for tackling the challenges and opportunities shaping regional Australia. Through full-day conferences held across the country, these events connect communities, industry leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders to drive meaningful action and foster collaboration.
On 19 June 2025, join us in Cairns, Queensland, for a dynamic day of insights, discussions, and networking. This event will showcase regional strengths, explore critical issues, and share actionable strategies grounded in RAI’s research.
Bringing together industry experts, economists, regional leaders, government representatives, political leaders, academics, and the community sector, the Cairns conference will focus on the key pillars impacting regional communities, jobs and skills, sustainability, tourism, liveability, productivity, resilience, and the future of fossil fuels.
With two panel sessions spotlighting Sustainability and Innovation and Transport, Freight, and Logistics, alongside a lineup of compelling keynote addresses, Regions Rising Cairns is your opportunity to help shape stronger, more sustainable futures for regional Queensland and beyond.
What to expect:
- Engaging keynote addresses exploring key opportunities and challenges for regional Queensland, delivered by thought leaders shaping our state's future.
- Dynamic panel discussions exploring critical regional challenges and opportunities, including innovative solutions for sustainability, resilience, and economic growth, as well as addressing key issues in transport, freight, logistics, and connectivity.
- Insights from the latest RAI research, highlighting actionable strategies to empower regional Australia and drive meaningful change.
- Interactive networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration between government, industry, and community leaders.
Dive into the event program:
The Regions Rising Qld – Cairns program offers a full day of compelling content designed to inform, inspire, and ignite action. Featuring thought-provoking keynote addresses, deep-dive panel sessions on sustainability, innovation, transport and logistics, and exclusive insights from the latest RAI research, the program is crafted to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing regional Queensland.
Download the program
Speakers
Purchasing Tickets
Our ticketing options are designed to enhance your Regions Rising Cairns experience. Discounted prices are available for Regional Australia Council (RAC), Regional Australia Council Associate (RACA), and Regional Australia Alliance (RAA) members.
Ticket Options
Members
Non-Members
Virtual Ticket
Cancellation Policy
- The event will be run in accordance with all relevant Government health orders.
- There will be no refunds issued for live-stream tickets.
- Please contact the RAI directly regarding ticket refunds.
- All cancellations must be made in writing (email) to the RAI.
Regions Rising Series Sponsor
Thanks to our national event sponsors NBN Co. and Elders for their continued support.
