Geelong’s new convention centre design and bidder revealed

The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development is a step closer to reality with the selection of the preferred bidder to deliver the much-anticipated project, along with the unveiling of proposed designs.

Plenary Conventions has been appointed to develop the project and will soon start on the transformation of a 1.6-hectare waterfront site to deliver a world-class facility and precinct to Geelong.

The precinct will include a purpose-built convention and exhibition space incorporating a 1000 seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

It will also be home to retail spaces for food and beverage offerings and a large public plaza, as well as a 200-room hotel under the internationally renowned Crowne Plaza brand.

Key aspects of the precinct’s design and identity have been developed in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. 

The entire precinct will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the City of Greater Geelong and surrounding areas. It will support 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs once the precinct is complete. 

28 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage will also be employed on the project as part of a program with local organisation gforce. 

The Victorian Government is contributing $261 million to the project, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and $3 million from the City of Greater Geelong – bringing the total commitment to $294 million.

The Plenary Conventions consortium comprises Plenary Group as sponsor and investor as well as hotel and commercial office developer, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect, BGIS as services contractor and Quintessential Equity as commercial office developer.

Preliminary works on the site are underway and construction is set to begin shortly, with completion of the convention centre and hotel in 2026.

Development Victoria is proud to be overseeing the delivery of the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more information on the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre, go to the project page.

For more information on the Geelong City Deal and precinct visit: infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities.