Cairns Esplanade will provide the backdrop as Federal Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd joins with Cairns Mayor Val Schier to launch the 2011 Tropical Innovation Awards on tomorrow evening.

Mr Rudd will be accompanied at the function by 60 international ambassadors as part of a tour that will look at the economic potential of the Cairns region. Cr Schier said the function would highlight the cooperation between tiers of government and provide an opportunity to showcase the region’s creativity to the world.

“This is an enormous opportunity to make our mark on a world stage,” Cr Schier said. “We can change the way people see this region – it’s not just about tourism, we can be world leaders in new technologies designed for the tropics.

“Both the Federal and State Governments are supporting these awards and that means we have three layers of government working together with business and industry to really grow this region,” Cr Schier said.

At a 2011 Tropical Innovation Awards preview event held yesterday, two of last year’s winners (Placid Pools and Pole Power) provided updates on the progress of their inventions.

“These two businesses, along with the other inaugural award recipients, demonstrate the ingenuity that exists in Far North Queensland,” Cr Schier said.

“Both projects are environmentally-friendly and encourage sustainable practices that reflect the natural attributes of life in the tropics.

“And, for the first time, we will be launching an international component that is sure to generate worldwide interest."