Meet the first executive chef for Geelong’s convention centre
Ahead of its mid-year opening in 2026, Andreas Gober has been appointed executive chef for Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
Gober comes to the venue with plenty of culinary experience, working with the likes of cruise liners, caterers, restaurants and hotels. Recent roles have seen him lead kitchen teams at Marvel Stadium and W Melbourne.
Originally from Austria, Gober has worked around the world, including in the Middle East and Fiji, as well as spending over a decade in Melbourne kitchens.
At Nyaal Banyul, he will create seasonal, local and culturally inclusive menus.
“We’re surrounded by so much here. Oceans, farmland, incredible artisans. You don’t need to look far to find flavour – it’s already here,” he said.
“You start with what’s in front of you. The landscape, the season, the community. Then you cook with intention. That’s how a dish becomes something more.”
Geelong’s new convention centre includes a 1,000-seat theatre and 3,700m2 of flexible event space.
Hyatt Regency Sydney appoints international sales manager
Australia’s largest hotel, the 878-room Hyatt Regency Sydney, which also boasts 4,000m2 of meeting space has recruited a new senior sales manager for international markets.
Margoba Abuduaini moves over from Trippas White Group, where she was trade account manager. She also has business development experience with Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and customer relationship management experience with Air France.
Fluent in four languages – French, English, Mandarin and Uyghur – Abuduaini will focus on sales activity in Asia Pacific markets including India, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong – some of which are amongst Australia’s largest source markets for international visitors.
New director of sales for Novotel Geelong
Larelle Fitt has joined the team at the 109-room Novotel Geelong as its new director of sales.
It is a return to the property for Fitt, who was previously conference and events sales manager for Novotel Geelong.
More recently Fitt headed up the conferencing and events team for The Sharpe Group, who offer several venues suitable for business events groups, including Curlewis Golf Club, which also has accommodation, and Jack Rabbit Vineyard.
She has also held business events sales roles with other Novotel properties and at Mantra.
“We’re excited to have Larelle back on board at Novotel Geelong,” said the hotel’s general manager, Scott Bear.
“Her energy and deep regional experience are a perfect match for our team as we continue to grow as the leading hotel in Geelong and The Bellarine.
“We are excited to foster her years of experience and knowledge which will be a huge asset in taking Novotel Geelong to the next level.”
The property has 12 meeting spaces with the largest able to host 230 in theatre. Novotel Geelong is also a seven-minute walk from the Nyaal Banyal Geelong Conference and Events Centre, due to open mid-2026.
Australian takes the helm at new property from The Langham in Thailand
Nick Downing has been appointed general manager of The Langham, Custom House Bangkok ahead of the property’s opening late next year.
Downing has more than three decades of experience in premium and luxury hotels, starting out at the Hyatt Regency Perth and honing his skills across Australian hotels for more than 12 years before seeking experience internationally, including in the Maldives, Cambodia and Thailand.
He joins The Langham from another Bangkok hotel, The Siam, where he has been general manager for more than eight years, during which time the hotel has been recognised as one of the world’s 50 best hotels.
“This appointment is a clear statement of intent,” said Langham Hospitality Group’s regional vice president of operations for Asia, Sherona Shng.
“We are building The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok to be one of the most distinctive and desirable hotels in the region.
“Nick’s ability to elevate properties into cultural icons, with a focus on people, partnerships and place, makes him the ideal person to bring the extraordinary hotel to life.”
The new Langham property will feature a ballroom alongside 78 guest rooms.
