Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust has been confirmed as the operator for the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC), which will open in 2026.
As the existing Government operator of convention and exhibition services in Victoria, the Trust already manages the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and will manage both GCEC and MCEC to leverage expertise and opportunities to collaborate.
GCEC will be developed on the Geelong Waterfront precinct as part of the $294 million Geelong City Deal project, and is expected to be a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the region.
The purpose-built Centre will incorporate a 1,000-seat plenary venue and at least 3,700 square metres of flexible event space to allow large and small events to run concurrently.
Every event at GCEC will benefit a local ecosystem of hoteliers, event organisers, food providores, chefs and casual wait staff, cleaners, technicians, logistics and transport operators and more.
The Trust will work closely with the local community, businesses and key stakeholders in Geelong and the wider Bellarine region to secure as many local jobs, produce and supply chains as possible in the centre’s ongoing operation.
“We have more than 25 years’ experience hosting and delivering world class business events and we’re excited to start operating in Geelong and the Bellarine,” Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre chief executive Peter King said.
“The new facility will expand Geelong’s annual events offering and provide extraordinary experiences to the community and wider region, and we look forward to engaging the local community, businesses, and event organisers as the Centre is developed.”
