National conference to inject $815,000 into region

A MAJOR conference for the conference industry is the fifth event to be booked at the coming Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre.

The 2026 Professional Conference Organisers Association (PCOA) conference will welcome more than 500 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand to the centre now under construction on the Geelong Waterfront.

PCOA is a leading industry association representing professional conference organisers who support the business events economy through education, networking and advocacy.

Its annual conference brings together venue managers, event planners and sector leaders to exchange knowledge and foster innovation.

Delegates will also engage in curated regional experiences that showcase Geelong and the Bellarine’s strengths in tourism, hospitality and culture.

This conference, which does not yet have a publicly announced date, is expected to generate an estimated $815,000 in economic benefit for the region. Meet Geelong and The Bellarine worked with local businesses to successfully secure the event.

“We are thrilled to welcome PCOA delegates to Geelong and the Bellarine in 2026,” Meet Geelong and The Bellarine convention bureau manager, Tamie Ryan, said.

“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.”

The PCOA event, follows the booking of the Associations Forum National Conference, the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative NAIDOC Week Dinner, the Business Managers Victoria Conference, and he Victorian Principals Association Conference.

“We look forward to welcoming PCOA delegates to Nyaal Banyul in 2026 and showcasing a venue designed to set a new benchmark for regional business events in Australia,” Nyaal Banyul general manager, Rick Aylett, said.

The $450 million Nyaal Banyul will contain 3,700sqm of flexible event space, a 1,000-seat theatre and the 200-room Crowne Plaza Geelong Hotel and is the flagship project of the Geelong City Deal.

“Congratulations to Meet Geelong and The Bellarine in leading the bid strategy and working with regional stakeholders to secure the conference,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, said.

“This is a brilliant example of our visitor economy partnerships working collaboratively with the sector to deliver real economic benefits to their region.

“Hosting the PCOA Conference at Nyaal Banyul in 2026 demonstrates Geelong’s growing capacity to attract major business events, supporting local jobs, tourism operators and the wider regional economy.”

Meet Geelong and The Bellarine is part of the Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine visitor economy partnership, collaborating with government, local councils and industry to support sustainable tourism growth.