Geelong Major Events Committee

Geelong Major Events (GME) is a Section 66 Delegated Committee of the City of Greater Geelong which has been created to support the attraction, assistance and funding of major events.

GME meetings

Ordinary meetings of Geelong Major Events are held bi-monthly on the third Monday of every second month.

• Watch the meeting recordings

Major Event Outcomes

The Geelong Major Events Committee aims to strategically plan and coordinate significant events to maximise their positive impact on the region. It seeks to attract events aligned with community values, enhance Geelong’s reputation, stimulate economic growth, and promote social cohesion.

The primary objectives for major events in the Geelong region are to achieve:

• Economic Impact: Measure the financial benefits of major events, including spending, job creation, and business growth.
• Brand Marketing Impact: Enhance Geelong’s reputation and attract visitors, residents, and investment through effective promotion and positive media coverage.
• Community Impact: Foster community pride, social inclusion, and cultural exchange, contributing to social well-being and quality of life.
• Sustainability Impact: Minimise environmental impacts and maximise positive legacies, advancing the City’s sustainability goals.

GME membership from June 2023

• Representatives of Council: Anthony Aitken, Ron Nelson, Jim Mason and Melissa Cadwell
• The Chief Executive Officer of the City of Greater Geelong: Ali Wastie 
• The Executive Director of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine: Tracy Carter
• External representatives of the community: Julie Maxwell, Natalie Valentine, Brenden Caligari, Robyn Birrell, Shannan Gove and Kent Boorman.

Also in attendance at meetings for advisory purposes are:

• Executive Officer to Geelong Major Events: Hannah Sidebottom
• Other relevant City of Greater Geelong officers as determined by the monthly agenda

GME Investment Framework

The first step in the assessment process for major events is a discussion with the GME Executive Officer. This discussion seeks to determine eligibility for funding and to confirm that GME is the best funding program for the proposed event.

Through discussions with the GME Executive Officer, it can be determined whether your event fits the event classifications and funding criteria set out in the GME Strategy 2024-29. Events outside the scope of GME include community events that may receive advisory and regulatory support from the City of Greater Geelong and may be eligible for financial support through other areas of Council.

The decision for an event to progress to stage two of the assessment process (application), is based on numerous factors, primarily:

• does the event fit one of the event classifications.
• the ability of the event to deliver on the identity pillars, strategic priorities, and major event outcomes.
• the availability of funds.
• venue and location availability to support the delivery of the event.
• demonstration that the event has rigorous and comprehensive event plans

More information on the application and assessment framework is contained within the Geelong Major Events Investment Framework.

Geelong Major Events meetings are generally held the third Monday of each second month. On most occasions you would receive a response to your application within 2-3 months of submitting the completed forms.

GME meetings, like Council meetings, are open to the general public.

If GME does provide funding for an event, this does not mean that the City of Greater Geelong has approved the conduct of the event (where it is necessary to do so).

This approval is coordinated by the Event Services Unit and is subject to a separate process requiring the event organiser to, as a minimum:

• provide evidence of public liability insurance demonstrating a minimum cover of $20 million and providing a principal’s indemnity to the City of Greater Geelong.t
• submit all relevant plans, including emergency management plans and risk assessments.
• participate in the Events Multi-Agency Working Group process, which is an advisory group ensuring the safe and appropriate conduct of events in the region.

Regardless of the outcome of your GME funding application, you may be required to complete and lodge the City’s Event Application form also.

What will GME not fund?

GME will not provide funding to:

• community events
• organisations which do not have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• capital or infrastructure works
• events of a charitable nature – GME does not provide donations
• religious, political or racial events
• events that are not open to the general public
• events not held in the municipality.

GME cannot provide in-kind services such as traffic management, road closure advertising, waste management and site reinstatement free of charge.