Cairns' comprehensive �Tropical Wedding Expo� will be held at the Shangri-La Events Centre at Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns on 3 February 2008 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., where visitors will find everything and anything needed for a once in a lifetime day, all under one roof.

In its third year, the �Tropical Wedding Expo� showcases the �Bride of the Year Competition,� held at noon, providing ladies who were married in 2007 an opportunity to don their dresses for a second time and be in the running to win luxury accommodation packages at Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns; Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney; and Shangri-La�s Fijian Resort and Spa, Yanuca, Fiji Islands. Written entries to the �Bride of the Year Competition� close on 25 January 2008.

The first 200 brides to register on the day will receive a show bag. Entry to the �Tropical Wedding Expo� is free of charge.

The best of bridal wear will be showcased in fashion parades held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., proudly brought to visitors by Rhythm X Model Management with designs from Karlie Jay, Irene Costa, Stanzi and Love that Jewellery. Silk Hair and Beauty at the Pier proudly present the hair show at 3 p.m.

A range of exhibitors will provide visitors with great ideas for table centerpieces, cakes, floral arrangements, accessories, entertainment, photography, hair, beauty and make-up trends, etc. From 11 a.m., the caf� will be open, Redbank wine tasting will commence on the Trinity Room balcony and there will be live entertainment.

The schedule for the �Tropical Wedding Expo� is: 10 a.m. Doors Open 11 a.m. The first fashion show in Trinity Room Noon Cairns� �Bride of the Year Competition� in the Trinity Room 2 p.m. The second fashion show in Trinity Room 3 p.m. Hair and beauty show 4 p.m. �Tropical Wedding Expo� ends

Throughout the day: �Visit the Shangri-La stand for any enquiries and to arrange a site tour �From 11 a.m. the caf� will open, live entertainment will start and Redbank wine tasting will commence on the Trinity Room balcony �There will be wedding venue displays in the Forest garden, the Lagoon room and the ballroom

After a day at the expo, all couples are welcome to retire to the hotel�s new lounge bar, B�8 on the ground floor, for cool beverages and chic snacks from the B�8 tapas menu. B�8 is open daily until late.

Exhibitors at the �Tropical Wedding Expo� include: All Woman Barbie Anderson Bass Groove Blondies Kuts and Kurls Bridal Elegance and Extras Cairns Ceremonial Doves Cairns Still Photography Cairns Wedding Make-up and Hair Contours Going Choco I Do Flowers Irene Costa Bridal Fashions Jinyana Jewellery Karlie Jay Designs Cakes By Design Loloma Jewellers Lo-Price Cosmetics Love That by Jessie Majestic Weddings and Events MOD Videos Paper Possibilities Port Douglas Mobile Disco Port Douglas Photography Posh Photography Proselt Television Rainflowers and Wedding Bells Florist Silk Hair and Beauty Simply Hampers Southern Cross Limousines Spa Resources Australasia Spectrum Sounds Mobile Disco Stanzi The Jade Cosmetic Clinic Toe The Line Trailfinders Underwood Party Hire Watabe Australia Wayne Rees and Vivian Reid Wedding Treasures

Visitors booking a wedding at Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns within one week of the �Tropical Wedding Expo� will receive a special bonus of complimentary pre dinner drinks. Please contact Tania Purdy, the hotel�s wedding coordinator, on telephone (07) 4052 7756 or e-mail Tania.purdy@shangri-la.com.

For further information about the �Tropical Wedding Expo� and �Bride of the Year� competition, contact the Shangri-La hotel events team on (07) 4052 7769.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 55 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 48 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

PRESS CONTACT: Sharon Kennedy Communications Executive Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns Tel: (61 7) 4052 7729 Fax: (61 7) 4031 2815 E-mail: sharon.kennedy@shangri-la.com Website: www.shangri-la.com

For digitised pictures of the group�s hotels, please go to http://www.shangri-la.com/imagelibrary.