The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre has taken a major step towards becoming operational, with its first four events locked in for July and August 2026. The announcements come as the $450 million venue nears completion, backed by the Allan Labor Government and operated in partnership with the Plenary Conventions consortium and the Victorian Convention and Event Trust.
The centre will offer 3,700 square metres of flexible event space and a 1,000-seat theatre. It forms part of a broader precinct that includes retail, dining, public plaza areas and a 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel. Construction is being delivered as a public-private partnership under the Geelong City Deal, which involves funding from all levels of government.
The initial slate of bookings spans leadership, education, culture and community themes. In July 2026, the Associations Forum National Conference will convene around 400 delegates to discuss challenges, management and innovation in association work. Alongside it, the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will host a NAIDOC Week Dinner celebrating culture and connection, while Business Managers Victoria will bring together school business managers and education support staff. In August, the Victorian Principals Association Conference will support educational leaders through professional development and sector collaboration.
Government leaders emphasised the wider regional value of those first events. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, said, “These events are a sign of how valuable Nyaal Banyul will be to the Geelong region—bringing visitors, boosting the local economy and showcasing what the region has to offer.” Christine Couzens, Member for Geelong, commented, “Securing these first events is an important milestone for Nyaal Banyul, not only highlighting that it’s a world-class venue, but also delivering benefits for the local community and economy.” Ella George, Member for Lara, added, “These four events are just the beginning of what will be a year-round calendar of events once the centre opens—driving people to the region and supporting local jobs and businesses.” Gayle Tierney, Member for Western Victoria, said, “Nyaal Banyul will be a game-changer for Geelong—attracting world-class events, creating local jobs, and strengthening our community’s reputation as a premier destination for culture and connection.”
Alison Marchant, Member for Bellarine, noted, “The first bookings at Nyaal Banyul are a welcome milestone, as the venue delivers on its promise as a state-of-the-art venue that will support local businesses and attract visitors to the Geelong region.” Natalie O’Brien AM, Chief Executive of the Victorian Convention and Event Trust, remarked, “These four events show exactly what Nyaal Banyul stands for: thought leadership, cultural connection, and community impact. It’s the perfect beginning to a venue built to bring people together in meaningful ways.” Fatima Sunderji, Group General Manager of Associations Forum, said, “We are delighted to be holding the first association’s conference, the Associations Forums National Conference at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in its opening month. It is our 20th year for the conference and we couldn’t be more pleased to be bringing it to the stunning new state-of-the-art centre, with its focus on sustainability and community engagement it makes it a perfect event destination for association conferencing.”
Supporters believe these early bookings demonstrate the venue’s ability to compete for major conferences and boost Geelong’s national and international profile. A successful convention centre can stimulate spending on local accommodation, restaurants and attractions—benefits many in the region hope will ripple outward.
Still, questions remain. While construction is under way, the centre’s precise impact will depend on whether bookings continue beyond the inaugural events and whether the precinct’s supporting infrastructure—transport, hospitality, local services—can scale accordingly.
The project’s scale is large. The Plenary Conventions consortium has been selected to design, build and maintain the facility for 25 years under a public-private partnership. The precinct is expected to support hundreds of ongoing jobs across hospitality, services and events. During construction, the development is already delivering local apprenticeships and contractor opportunities as part of broader social procurement goals. The centre is being shaped in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, with elements of design intended to reflect local culture and connection to country.
When finished, Nyaal Banyul aims to anchor Geelong as a destination for national and international events. If the early bookings prove a reliable indicator, the region may begin to see a higher volume of visitor flow beyond peak tourist periods. But sustaining that will require consistent programming, strong partnerships with event organisers, and careful coordination with local businesses to ensure capacity meets demand.
For now, the first confirmed events offer some early confidence that the long-awaited centre may quietly validate its promise.
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