This month, Business Events Victoria hosted a relaxed and flavour-filled Gather & Graze with BEV in Geelong and the Bellarine lunch event at Crowne Plaza Geelong, bringing together event planners with leading venues and suppliers from Geelong and the Bellarine.
For the first time, BEV took this event on the road, bringing the experience to Geelong and the Bellarine. Moving from a dinner format, the Gather & Graze with BEV in Geelong and the Bellarine was an exclusive lunch event at the brand-new Crowne Plaza, putting the spotlight firmly on the region’s diverse offerings.
We began the day in Melbourne, boarding a chartered coach provided by Victorian Bus Charters for the short drive to Geelong. On arrival, Karen Jackson, Director of Sales and Marketing, warmly welcomed our guests at the main hotel lobby of the brand-new Crowne Plaza Geelong, which had just opened its doors on 23 January 2026. The group embarked on a guided tour of the hotel, exploring the new event spaces, guestrooms and facilities, with a sneaky peek through the windows of the soon-to-open Nyaal Banyul Geelong. The tour concluded at the Skyline Bar on Level 10, where sweeping waterfront and bay views provided the perfect backdrop for the day.
The lunch at Skyline Bar featured a beautifully curated three-course meal, with presentations from our industry partners woven between each course. Each course provided the perfect opportunity for meaningful conversation and connections. Paired with stunning bay views and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, the event created an inspiring setting to showcase Geelong and the Bellarine as a premier destination for business events.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees enjoyed short, sharp presentations from:
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre
Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park
Each shared fresh insights, new developments, and creative ideas to help planners deliver an unforgettable event in the region. A light-hearted highlight? Nearly every presentation included a map of Geelong — a running joke by the third one, but a perfect reminder of how close, connected, and easy the region is for planners and delegates.
With great food, meaningful connections, and a room full of regional champions, the lunch reinforced one thing: you don’t have to go far from Melbourne to deliver something truly memorable.
