11 May 2022
MCEC have announced that Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) has been announced as the operator for the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) that will open in 2026! As the existing Government operator of convention and exhibition services in the state of Victoria, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (which operates MCEC) will manage both our current venue in South Wharf, and the new centre in Geelong to leverage expertise and opportunities to collaborate. The $294 million project includes the construction of a purpose-built Convention and Exhibition Centre, incorporating a 1,000-seat plenary venue and at least 3,700 square metres of flexible event space to allow for large and small events to run concurrently. GCEC will be developed on the Geelong Waterfront precinct as part of the Geelong City Deal - a partnership between the Australian and Victorian Governments, together with the City of Greater Geelong. Every event at GCEC will benefit from a local ecosystem of hoteliers, event organisers, food providers, chefs and casual wait staff, cleaners, technicians, logistics and transport operators and more. Our 25 years’ experience hosting and delivering world-class business events means MCEC is well-placed to support the success of this new centre and the growth it will bring to Geelong and the Bellarine. MCEC look forward to engaging the local community, businesses, and event organisers as GCEC is developed in the coming years.