Melbourne trust announced as operators for Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Victorian Government has announced that the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust will operate the soon-to-be built Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

As leaders in the industry, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, who manage the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), will bring their expertise in drawing guests from across Australia and around the globe to Geelong.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is a major contributor to Victoria’s economy. Over the past two decades it’s hosted more than 20,000 events attracting millions of local, national and international visitors.

Both Geelong and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centres will be managed by the Trust, to increase opportunities for collaboration across each centre.

The Trust will work closely with Geelong’s business and events network, events and hospitality businesses to support local jobs and boosting the region’s economy.

The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the City of Greater Geelong and surrounding regions, supporting 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs through operation.

The Victorian Government is investing more than $260 million into the project as part of the Geelong City Deal, creating a total project value of $294 million including contributions from the Commonwealth Government and City of Greater Geelong.

The broader precinct will include the construction of the purpose-built Convention and Exhibition Centre, incorporating a 1000-seat plenary venue and at least 3700 square metres of flexible event space so that large and small events can run at the same time, as well as a 200-room upscale hotel.

Significant progress is being made to deliver the world-class facility and precinct with an Expression of Interest (EOI) process underway for interested parties capable of delivering this large and complex project.

This follows an industry briefing on the design and construction of GCEC and the wider precinct. 

Development Victoria is pleased to be involved with this exciting regional project that is creating hundreds of jobs during construction and ongoing jobs when complete.

Click here for more information on the Geelong City Deal.