Geelong and The Bellarine Welcomes Australia's Association Sector for a Landmark Associations Forum

Geelong and The Bellarine proudly welcomed more than 500 association professionals to Associations Forum 2026 which included an exhibition and conference hosted at the newly opened Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

Bringing together association executives, CEOs, business managers, event professionals and industry suppliers from across Australia, the event showcased not only the capability of the convention centre, but the strength of the entire destination. From premium accommodation and unique venues to immersive regional experiences, the conference demonstrated how Geelong and The Bellarine delivers memorable business events well beyond the conference room.

The exhibition was brought to life by long-standing industry partner Moreton Hire, who delivered the 50-booth showcase that became the central networking hub throughout the conference. Continuing a partnership with Associations Forum that has spanned almost a decade, Moreton Hire once again demonstrated its expertise in delivering high-quality exhibition environments, ensuring exhibitors and delegates enjoyed a seamless experience.

Discovering the destination before the conference

Ahead of the conference, Meet Geelong and The Bellarine, in partnership with the Melbourne Convention Bureau, hosted a famil program for association directors, business managers and event planners.

Designed to showcase the breadth of conference and incentive opportunities available across the region, delegates experienced a carefully curated itinerary that highlighted both venue capability and the experiences that make Geelong and The Bellarine unique.

The program commenced with a site inspection at Crowne Plaza Geelong, followed by networking drinks overlooking the waterfront at Skyline Bar. Guests then travelled to Provenance Wines, where they undertook an interactive wine blending experience followed by a hands-on ceramics workshop before enjoying an exclusive gala dinner and venue showcase at Higher Mark at GMHBA Stadium.

Day two continued with a high tea breakfast and site inspection at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, before visiting Mt Duneed Estate for a venue tour and wine tasting. Delegates then experienced the inspiring community initiative Farm My School, and were able to harvest and pickle vegetables from the Farm My School vegetable gardens.

The famil concluded with the famous mussel masterclass and a long lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, where sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay provided the perfect finale to two days of discovering the region.

The itinerary showcased the diversity of experiences available to conference organisers - from global hotel brands and iconic event venues to authentic regional experiences that can be seamlessly incorporated into conference programs, incentive itineraries and delegate social events.

A destination-wide conference experience

Associations Forum extended well beyond the walls of the convention centre, with events taking place across multiple venues throughout the region.

The official Welcome Event was hosted on Monday evening at Crowne Plaza Geelong, attracting a sold-out crowd of 283 delegates. Guests enjoyed exceptional food, local beverages and valuable networking while experiencing one of the region's newest waterfront event venues.

Following the welcome function, a select group attended an exclusive Gold Class Dinner at Novotel Geelong, where the Limeburners Room was transformed into an intimate dining oasis. The evening featured a carefully curated three-course menu and provided the perfect setting for meaningful conversations among industry leaders.

Across Tuesday and Wednesday, more than 500 association professionals gathered at Nyaal Banyul, with the exhibition hall buzzing throughout the conference as delegates connected with exhibitors, attended educational sessions and explored the latest products and services supporting Australia's association sector.

The conference concluded with two simultaneous breakfast events on Wednesday morning, offering delegates further opportunities to connect while experiencing additional venues. One breakfast was hosted in the recently refurbished Presidents Room at Higher Mark at GMHBA Stadium, while the second took place at Crowne Plaza Geelong.

Showcasing what's possible

The conference demonstrated how Geelong and The Bellarine can successfully deliver large-scale business events while encouraging delegates to experience the region beyond the conference program. Through collaboration between accommodation providers, venues, attractions and local businesses, visitors experienced a destination that combines world-class conference facilities with authentic regional experiences.

From waterfront hotels and premium wineries to purpose-built conference venues, community-led experiences and iconic event spaces, Associations Forum highlighted why Geelong and The Bellarine continues to strengthen its position as one of Australia's leading regional business events destinations.

Meet Geelong and The Bellarine extends its thanks to the Melbourne Convention Bureau, Associations Forum, exhibitors, members and industry partners whose collaboration helped deliver an outstanding showcase of everything the destination has to offer.