The 2026 PCOA national conference will be held at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, which is set to open next July in regional Victoria.
The association has been taking its PCO audience on a tour of major new business events infrastructure over the last couple of years – hosting the 2024 conference at the just-opened Queen’s Wharf development in Brisbane and this year’s event at Te Pae Christchurch, which opened in 2022 in New Zealand. The 2025 conference is only the second time the event has been held across the Tasman.
PCOA’s 2026 conference is expected to attract more than 500 delegates, with the PCOA membership base being exclusively event buyers.
Famils around Geelong and the Bellarine will be offered to delegates coming to the conference.
“We are thrilled to welcome PCOA delegates to Geelong and the Bellarine in 2026,” said Meet Geelong and The Bellarine’s convention bureau manager, Tamie Ryan.
“This conference is an incredible opportunity to showcase our world-class venues, vibrant precincts and unique experiences that make our region one of Australia’s most inspiring business events destinations.”
PCOA’s president Barry Neame says the association is “delighted” to bringing the conference to Geelong.
“The region’s mix of exceptional venues, natural beauty and unique experiences will make this a truly memorable event for our members,” he said.
“We look forward to connecting our delegates with local partners and showcasing what Geelong and the Bellarine have to offer.”
Nyaal Banyul will be a carbon neutral venue from opening, offering a 1,000 seat theatre and 3,700m2 of flexible meeting space. A 200-room hotel, the Crowne Plaza Geelong, is located in the convention centre precinct and is set to open next month. There are around 1,500 other hotel rooms in close proximity to the centre.
The PCOA conference is expected to provide an $815,000 economic injection into Geelong when its held December 6-8, 2026.
