In May 2025, Cairns Convention Centre had the privilege of hosting the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), only the third time this prestigious medical conference has been held in a non-capital city (which interestingly was in Cairns over 16 years ago). With over 1,900 in-person delegates, 263 speakers and facilitators, and more than 115 workshops across five days, the meeting was a remarkable showcase of innovation, sustainability, and community collaboration.