‘Local showcase’: Plenary Group launches EOI for Geelong convention centre hospitality operators

Here’s your chance to become part of Geelong’s premier precinct, as the process to find hospitality operators for the convention centre site kicks off.

Local hospitality providers are being urged to put their best foot forward to become part of the $450m Geelong convention centre, as the project’s developers put the call-out for multiple business opportunities.

In what is hoped will be a stunning showcase of the region’s produce, around half a dozen tenancies are up for grabs, encompassing 700 sqm of floorspace plus outdoor seating, for operations that include a fine dining restaurant and week-round, all-day cafe.

There is also potential for a double-storey gastropub, coffee bar, general store, and convenience retail outlet.

These outlets will operate alongside a cafe run by the convention centre and restaurant and sky bar overseen by the Crowne Plaza hotel.

The Plenary Group has engaged Gartland and CBRE to run a two-month expression of interest process that kicks off Monday, with the aim of having all tenants signed up and announced by the end of the year.

A render of the Geelong convention centre, located nearby the waterfront on Western Beach Rd. Picture: Supplied.

Officially known as the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct, the 1.6ha site is expected to open in its entirety in mid-2026.

Plenary’s chief investment officer Paul Crowe said evidence suggests visitors want to experience local offerings.

“We really want the precinct to tap into the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong, Surf Coast and the like, and be a showcase because that’s what tourists want,” he said.

“We want the precinct to attract conventions and people to the hotel, and they want to be able to engage with Geelong and the region.

“So of course we want to be able to showcase that and we are looking for great ideas as to how that can be done.”

Plenary Group chief investment office Paul Crowe speaking in December at the “topping out” ceremony for the Crowne Plaza hotel. Picture: Alan Barber.

Mr Crowe said while the current public focus was understandably on the large building components of the Western Beach Rd project, the end product would be much more.

He said the pedestrian-scale size of the precinct created opportunities far beyond the convention centre and hotel.

“We want some really good operators to come along and create the vibe for the precinct, we are pretty excited to be at this point, launching the call-out,” he said.

“It’s about locals coming down there to enjoy it, (and) it’s a precinct where we will be welcoming tourists from all over the world, so we really want that active vibe that is showcasing local talented people and produce.

“I think everyone will be surprised in how much visitation comes to the waterfront when we unlock this down there.”

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct is expected to open in the mid-next year. Picture: Supplied.

In December, Mr Crowe spoke at the “topping out” ceremony for the Crowne hotel.

The event involved a symbolic lifting of a tree onto the roof to signify the 11-storey building hitting its apex at around 40m.

The project is supported by all three levels of government as part of the Geelong City Deal.

Originally published as ‘Local showcase’: Plenary Group launches EOI for Geelong convention centre hospitality operators