Cairns Convention Centre general manager Ross Steele.

SOME came to talk about sleep.

Others reviewed the past 2.6 million years of the earth’s history while still others dealt with world trade and the growing of turf grass.

They were all part of the huge number of convention and conference delegates who continued to build on the reputation of the Cairns Convention Centre last year.

The convention centre pumped a staggering $72 million directly into the Cairns economy in the past 12 months.

Research undertaken by Cummings Economics showed international delegates spent an average $4897 during their stay in Cairns while national event delegates spent $4859.

Convention centre general manager Ross Steele said the spending by delegates was four to five times more than traditional leisure visitors spent during their stay.

With 31 per cent of delegates bringing partners to Cairns during their conventions, pre- and post-convention tours helped generate 135,000 room nights for the region’s hotels and resorts.

"The continued growth and prosperity of the city has enhanced Cairns’ reputation as a serious meetings destination during the past year with at least eight of our conventions attracting more than 1000 delegates and organisers reporting record attendance and registration," Mr Steel said.

The XVII International Union of Quartenary Research Congress which studied the changes to the earth over the past 2.6 million years, attracted more than 1000 delegates from 51 countries, the largest number yet to attend the event.

More than 1500 researchers and sleep experts from 60 countries bedded down in Cairns while the International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting was the first time it had been held outside of North America.

On the calendar for the next 12 months are the Bakers Delight Biennial Conference which will draw 1000 delegates, the Hardware and Building Traders National Conference, the World Summit on Child Labour and Child Exploitation and the Sunway Australasian Franchisee Convention.

Other recent bid wins for Cairns include the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgeons Conference and the Stroke Society of Australasia annual meeting in 2009 and in 2010 the Renal Society of Australasia conference.