New design unveiled for Geelong Convention Centre

The state government has revealed new designs and picked a project lead for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre that is expected to open in early 2026.

Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing was in Geelong this morning (Monday, July 24) to announce the government had appointed Plenary Conventions to lead a consortium of architects, builders and developers to deliver the project.

Corangamite MP Libby Coker, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan and Plenary chairman John O’Rourke all welcomed the announcement at an event at GCEC’s future site in front of dozens of local stakeholders.

“This project is a game-changer for a rapidly growing region, generating hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars into the local economy – once complete it will be yet another drawcard for this vibrant, prosperous and beautiful part of the state,” Ms Shing said.

The 1.6-hectare site is currently a fenced-off car park next to Deakin University’s city campus and fronting Western Beach Road.

The proposed development will include a 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and event spaces that government representatives say will create a “world class” precinct for Geelong.

A large plaza and retail spaces will offer public use in the new precinct, while a new 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel will also help attract businesses.

The state government predicts the project will create 600 construction jobs and 270 ongoing once the project is finished.

Plenary led development of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the group indicating it saw similar potential for a transformative project at Geelong Waterfront.

GCEC is the blue-ribbon project of the Geelong City Deal collaboration and is funded through $260 million from the state government, $30 million from the federal government and $3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.