The Victorian Convention and Event Trust (VCET) has officially opened the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre on the Geelong waterfront.
VCET, which also operates the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), launches the regional venue with more than 80 events already secured and an additional 250 proposals in the pipeline.
The new precinct features a 1,000-seat theatre, dedicated exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, flexible conference facilities, and a public outdoor plaza. Designed in partnership with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, the venue incorporates local cultural narratives across its architecture and public spaces.
The facility will host its inaugural major event, the Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball, on July 3. Other upcoming events include the Geelong Careers Expo, the Professional Conference Organisers Association conference in December 2026, and Australian Tourism Awards in February 2027.
According to VCET, the venue’s operations are designed to support the regional visitor economy across Geelong, the Bellarine, and Great Ocean Road. The majority of the venue’s current workforce is drawn from the Barwon South West region, and operations have engaged more than 50 local businesses across catering, supply chains, and operational services.
