Cairns Chamber of Commerce

14/09/2026

🚀 Innovate with nbn® is back!

Calling all regional changemakers. 💡

The 2026 Innovate with nbn® Grants Program is now open, with $125,000 in grant funding available across seven categories, including the new Innovation for Productivity category.

🏆 $15,000 for each category winner
🎯 $20,000 for the overall 2026 Innovate with nbn® Champion
📅 Applications close 12 October 2026

Applied before and weren't successful? You're encouraged to apply again this year. 🙌

Let's power progress together.

👉 https://www.nbnco.com.au/campaigns/innovate-with-nbn-grants-program

11/09/2026

10/09/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
Every cost adds pressure when household and business budgets are already stretched.

Insurance affordability and access continue to be significant issues for households, businesses and strata communities across Tropical North Queensland.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North is conducting the 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 to understand what homeowners, landlords, strata communities and business owners are experiencing, and how conditions may have changed since 2025.

In our region, insurance pressures can be compounded by distance, freight and fuel costs, as well as exposure to cyclones, flooding and other natural hazards.

What you share will help 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 and support advocacy and decision-making grounded in the experiences of Tropical North Queensland communities and businesses.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱?
• Homeowners and landlords
• Strata communities
• Business owners

📅 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀: 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
⏱️ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝟱–𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀
🔒 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘆𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀
👉 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZBJ3QMM

Please share this survey with others across Tropical North Queensland who may wish to contribute.

10/09/2026

🤝SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - GALLAGHER🤝
Gallagher is a proud sponsor of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce September Business Luncheon.
LAST CHANCE TO GET TICKETS HERE:
https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/.../september-business.../
Gallagher, founded in 1927, is a global leader in insurance, risk management, and consulting services.
Operating in Australia since 1985, Gallagher combines local expertise with global resources, delivering tailored insurance solutions and risk management strategies to businesses of all sizes. With over 50,000 employees worldwide and a strong presence in more than 30 locations across Australia, Gallagher is committed to providing personalised, on-the-ground support to meet the unique needs of local communities.
Recognised as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 12 consecutive years, Gallagher builds trusted relationships and delivers exceptional client value. 👩‍💻
🌐Website: https://locations.ajg.com/au/qld/cairns/suite-11-chapman-court-36-grafton-street

Visit the Gallagher location in Cairns, QLD w2AQfor insurance, benefits consulting and risk management expertise

09/09/2026

How easy would it be to hack your business?

At our September Business Luncheon, you won’t just hear about cybercrime - you’ll see a live demonstration of a 'business' being hacked.

For small and medium businesses, a cyberattack can mean financial loss, stolen client information, reputational damage and significant disruption. And it may be easier than you think.

Join cyber resilience expert Robyn Adcock from Gallagher to:

🔐 See how a cyberattack can unfold
🔐 Understand where SMEs are most vulnerable
🔐 Separate common myths from real risks
🔐 Learn practical steps to better protect your people, data and business
🔐 Understand how to prepare, respond and recover

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue - it’s a business survival issue.

📅 Tuesday, 15 September 2026
⏰ 11:30am–2:00pm
📍 The Reef Hotel Casino
🎟 $75 members | $95 non-members | $600 table of eight

Don’t wait until your business is under attack to discover where the gaps are.

👉 Book your seat today
https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/event/september-business-luncheon/

Proudly sponsored by Gallagher and CA Architects.

08/09/2026

🏢SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - CA ARCHITECTS🏢
CA Architects is a proud sponsor of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce September Business Luncheon.
LAST CHANCE TO GET TICKETS HERE:
https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/event/september-business-luncheon/
For over 30 years, CA Architects has been designing and delivering projects in Cairns, across Far North Queensland and beyond.
As a locally established practice, CA Architects understands the unique conditions, opportunities and character of the region and brings this knowledge into its work through offices in Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin.
The practice works across a range of sectors, from residential and commercial projects to community, education and public buildings. Through a collaborative and practical approach, CA Architects works with clients and project teams to create thoughtful, functional and enduring places that contribute positively to the communities they serve. 📐
🌐Website: caarchitects.com.au

03/09/2026

Connecting and sharing ideas to help advocate for our Small Business Community at a Federal Level.
Thank you for making the journey to Cairns Adele from Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)to listen and understand first hand from the largest regional Chamber in Queensland, the challenges facing regional businesses.

03/09/2026

𝙎𝙋𝙀𝙀𝘿 𝙉𝙀𝙏𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂
Where established and emerging business leaders come together!
Hosted jointly by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Cairns Young Chamber, this is the perfect opportunity to strengthen relationships across generations of business and discover new opportunities within business community.
When: Thursday 17 September 2026
Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Where: Brother’s Leagues Club Cairns, 99-107 Anderson St, Manunda QLD
Cost: Members $35 & Non-members $45
Inclusions: Welcome Drink on Arrival and Nibbles
BOOK NOW: https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/event/speed-networking/ See less

02/09/2026

𝖢𝖺𝗂𝗋𝗇𝗌 𝖤𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗈𝗆𝗂𝖼 𝖬𝗈𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗈𝗋 | 𝖲𝖾𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 𝖤𝖽𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇

The September 2026 Edition of the Cairns Economic Monitor is out NOW!

This free resource highlights the region's latest economic data and trends, covering the labour market, inflation and interest rates, construction, tourism, real estate and more.

Proudly supported by WGC Lawyers, PVW Partners and LJ Ho**er Cairns Edge Hill the Cairns Economic Monitor is a dashboard of key economic indicators for the region.

Read the September 2026 Edition:
https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/cairns-economic-monitor

02/09/2026

𝙎𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙇𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙣
UNDER ATTACK: PREPARE. RESPOND. PROTECT.

Featuring a live demonstration of what happens when a cyber attack hits and what you can do about it!

Join the Cairns Chamber of Commerce for our September Business Luncheon. In today’s digital age, cyber threats are no longer confined to large corporations or government entities. Not-for-profit social service organisations are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, putting sensitive client records, funding, and community trust at risk.

When: Tuesday 15 September 2026
Time: 11:30am – 2:00pm
Where: The Reef Hotel Casino

Book now - https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/event/september-business-luncheon/