Beyond the Conference Room: How ICMS Australasia Made the Most of Geelong and The Bellarine

When a business event comes to Geelong and The Bellarine, the experience doesn’t have to begin and end at the conference room door.

ICMS Australasia’s 2026 Company Conference was a great example of how an event program can make the most of the entire destination, combining conferencing, accommodation, team building, regional experiences and memorable off-site events across Geelong and The Bellarine.

Held over three days in August, the conference was centred at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, with the ICMS Australasia team staying across Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong and Crowne Plaza Geelong.

From the Geelong waterfront to The Bellarine, the wider program gave delegates the opportunity to experience the region while creating plenty of opportunities to connect as a team outside the formal conference environment.

Turning the Geelong waterfront into a team-building playground

With Nyaal Banyul located on Geelong’s waterfront, it was easy for the conference program to extend beyond the venue.

The team took part in an Amazing Race-style challenge delivered by Go Ride A Wave in partnership with Royal Geelong Yacht Club, transforming the waterfront into an interactive team-building experience.

It demonstrated one of the advantages of hosting a business event in central Geelong - delegates can move easily between conferencing, accommodation, dining and experiences without needing to travel far.

The day continued at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, where delegates came together for a trivia dinner before enjoying a whisky and gin tasting hosted by Bellarine distillery, The Whiskery.

From conference mode to the Bellarine

A half-day famil gave the ICMS Australasia team the opportunity to swap the conference room for the Bellarine and discover just how much can be incorporated into an event itinerary within a short distance of central Geelong.

The experience began at Flying Brick Cider Co. with a High Cheese lunch before moving to The Range @ Curlewis, where a little friendly competition took over with mini golf and a driving range challenge.

At Farm My School, delegates discovered a different side of the region, learning about the organisation’s community-focused work and the impact of its innovative urban farming model.

The final stop was Jack Rabbit Vineyard, where local produce and spectacular surroundings came together for a hands-on mussel masterclass and relaxed wine tasting overlooking Port Phillip Bay.

Victorian Bus Charters transported the group throughout The Bellarine program, allowing delegates to experience multiple locations while keeping the itinerary seamless.

Finishing off on a high at Higher Mark GMHBA Stadium

After exploring the waterfront and The Bellarine, the ICMS Australasia program brought delegates back to central Geelong for a final change of scenery – this time at GMHBA Stadium.

The group first explored Higher Mark during a site inspection, before returning to the Captain’s Room for a themed gala dinner to close out their time in the region.

The evening gave the ICMS Australasia team the opportunity to experience the stadium in a completely different way. With its outlook across GMHBA Stadium, the Captain’s Room provided a distinctive backdrop for the celebration while creating an intimate setting for the group to come together one final time.

Higher Mark's team brought the evening to life through a menu designed to encourage connection, beginning with a seven-option grazing platter as guests arrived and mingled. Southern Rangers eye fillet followed for the main course, before dessert returned to the grazing-style format with apple crumble, strawberry panna cotta and French cream buns.

The themed evening also saw delegates embrace the occasion, bringing plenty of personality and energy to the final celebration.

For event planners, it was another example of the variety that can be built into a Geelong program. A major sporting venue doesn't have to mean a traditional stadium experience - spaces can be transformed for gala dinners, celebrations and off-site functions that give delegates something completely different from their daytime conference environment.

After three days of conferencing, team building and exploring Geelong and The Bellarine, a gala dinner overlooking the stadium provided a fitting finale to a program that made the most of the destination.

Could Geelong and The Bellarine be the setting for your next event? From standout venues to unforgettable delegate experiences, discover what’s possible for your program. Get in touch with our team today.

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