Geoff Donaghy, CEO of the Cairns Convention Centre and Suncorp Stadium, is anachiever on a multitude of levels. Having lived in Cairns for over 30 years, he was instrumental in lobbying for the Cairns Convention Centre, just as he has been instrumental in the running of the Centre over the last seven years. After taking up the challenge of joint CEO of the Convention Centre and Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Geoff led the team to win the most prestigious award in the C&I Industry, being voted 'World's Best Congress Centre 2004' by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) at their annual General Assembly in Edinburgh, Scotland. Enjoy our ‘up close and personal’ moment with one of the key players in the Cairns business community.

1. In three words – what does Cairns mean to you? 
green tropical beauty

2. What was your first ever job?
Tobacco stringing at Walkamin. I was about 10 and made enough to buy my first
pair of long trousers

3. For people just starting their own business– what are your 3 success tips?
* have a plan
* invest in the best staff you can
* have a life

4. What business decision, or action have you taken that you are most proud of? 
Being involved in the lobbying for,then the development and establishment of the
Convention Centre has been a real highlight.

5. What do you dislike most about your industry? 
Very little, but I do try to avoid those with egos and patronising attitudes as much
as possible.

6. What motivates you most to go to work each day?
The variety and excitement of major events. Whether it is conventions, concerts
or sports, every day is different in our venues and our people at the Centre and
the Stadium are terrific.

7. If you had an opportunity to change careers for a month – what would you do?
Muso in Memphis

8. Have you ever had a great idea or innovation that wish you had the time to pursue?
Patenting a combination rubbish bin lid foot pedal lifter with a toilet seat would be
a great contribution to domestic harmony world wide.

9. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
Spending more time as an adult with my mother and father

10. Tell us  one thing we don't know about you?
My first job in Cairns was washing and polishing DC3’s for Bush Pilots. I lasted
until lunch time.

11. Who do you aspire to?
A record company owner in New Orleans with holiday houses in Palm Cove and
Tuscany

12. If you could re-live one moment in your life – what would it be?
I scored a 90 metre try in a rugby league grand final in Bundaberg but got
knocked out later in the game and can’t remember anything about it.

13. If you could invite someone famous for dinner (dead or alive) – who would it be?
Halle Berry

14. When was your last overseas holiday and where?
South Africa last November. It is an amazing country.

15. What’s your favourite journey?
Flying into Cairns with the morning mist hanging over the mountains.

16. Your favourite time of day?
Early morning as the sun comes up

17. Your favourite restaurant for that Friday afternoon lunch? 
Anywhere that magic combination of good food and wine and great company
comes together and I recall it happening more than once at both Verdis and Villa
Romano

18. What music or radio station do you listen to in your car?
ABC Classic FM or blues and roots CD’s

19. Your favourite author or book?
Annie E Proulx. I have read everthing she has written and have listened to her
speaking live.

20.What will you be doing when you are 80?
Hopefully still living… And planning how to get to 90