Known as Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, the waterfront venue will offer 3,700m2 of event space including a 1,000-seat plenary theatre and 2,000m2 of exhibition space. The venue has a sustainability target to operate as a 5-Star Green Star venue.
Currently a construction site about one hour south of Melbourne, when completed, the centre will also have a 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel onsite.
With its ready access by car, train and ferry, and with the airport at Avalon, it is expected to appeal to both national and international events.
The centre will be operated by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET), which also runs Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
“We are thrilled to be virtually ‘opening the doors’ to Nyaal Banyul for the first time,” said MCET CEO Natalie O’Brien AM today.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our stunning new venue – an architectural masterpiece inspired by the diverse landscape and cultural heritage that dates back thousands of generations.
“I encourage interested event organisers to visit our website and discover why Nyaal Banyul is the perfect venue for your next event.”
Described as a cutting-edge, sustainably designed venue that presents a new opportunity for event organisers looking to deliver unique, destination-based events, the centre has a premium location opposite Geelong’s Eastern Beach.
The popular precinct in which the venue will sit has both existing hotels that have announced renovation and extension projects as well as at least one approved five-star hotel development announced in the past year.
It also features restaurants, bars, coffee shops, wineries, distillers and micro-breweries so business event delegates will be able to walk to top dining and entertainment venues.
With a population of more than 350,000, Greater Geelong is a popular meeting destination for industry sectors including government, agriculture, healthcare and education.
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is part of the Geelong City Deal, a collaborative partnership to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road by the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.
“When Nyaal Banyul opens its doors, it will bring all different types of entertainment, events and conferences and community gatherings to Geelong,” said Victoria’s minister for tourism, sport and major events, Steve Dimopoulos.
