Melbourne, Australia – January 14, 2026 – Nearly 13,000 construction and design professionals gathered at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) last October as Melbourne Build Expo made a highly successful debut in Victoria, exceeding expectations and establishing a major new platform for collaboration across the built environment sector. 

Held on 22–23 October 2025, Melbourne Build Expo welcomed 12,946 attendees over two action-packed days, reflecting strong industry demand for connection, innovation and knowledge-sharing amid Victoria’s continued infrastructure investment and urban growth.

 

A Record-Setting Debut for Melbourne 

The debut edition of Melbourne Build delivered scale, substance and industry impact, featuring: 

• 395 speakers across 12 conference stages, delivering 84 hours of CPD-accredited content 
• 44% female speaker representation, highlighting a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion 
• 11 targeted networking events, alongside a dedicated Government Hub and Architect’s Hub 
• Support from 14 sponsors, 114 event partners, and 915 industry ambassadors 
• Official government backing, reinforcing the expo’s role in supporting sector-wide collaboration and progress 

The 2025 programme featured senior leaders from government and industry, including: 

• Nicholas Reece, The Lord Mayor of Melbourne 
• The Hon. Harriet Shing MP, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Housing and Building, and Development Victoria and Precincts  
• The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, Minister for Planning and the Suburbs 
• Frankie Carroll, CEO, Suburban Rail Loop Authority 
• Adam Williams, Executive Director, Lendlease 
• Benni Aroni, Chair, Hickory Group 
• Chris Wong, Head of Delivery Performance Management, Downer 
• Along with industry leaders from JLL, Laing O’Rourke, WSP, FK, John Holland and more 

 

Forward-Focused Content and Real-World Outcomes 

Key sessions explored topics shaping the future of the built environment, including: 

• Melbourne Rising: Building the City of Tomorrow in One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Metropolises 
• Living in Melbourne 2030: Building a Stronger, Smarter, and Leading City for Australia 
• Beyond the Build: How Construction Companies Will Evolve into Tech Firms 
• Strategies & Opportunities for Improving Housing Affordability 
• The Future of Architecture in an AI-Driven World  
• What is the Construction Industry's Role in Shaping a Sustainable Planet? 
• Technology Meets Construction: Digital Tools Driving Modern Methods of Building 

Exhibitors reported strong engagement and commercial value, citing meaningful access to decision-makers, enhanced brand visibility and high-quality face-to-face networking.  

“The Melbourne Build Expo was a great chance for us to meet new customers, existing customers, and to deliver our message to a wider audience from the construction industry, from architects to subcontractors and head contractors and customers. It's been fantastic,” said Madj Abudagga, Account Executive, Autodesk 

“We've been supporting Sydney Build for many years and we’re glad that it's come to Melbourne, which is probably the fastest growing city. It is really what the industry needs, collaboration, partnerships, and sharing all this information,” added Maricel Cavestany, Regional Manager Oceania Region, CIOB 

 

Looking Ahead: Melbourne Build Expo 2026 

Building on the momentum of its successful Melbourne debut, Melbourne Build Expo will return on 25–26 November 2026 at MCEC, with plans for a significantly expanded edition. 

The 2026 event is expected to welcome over 20,000 attendees, 350+ exhibitors, and 500+ speakers across 17 CPD-accredited conference summits, positioning it as one of Australia’s largest construction and design gatherings. 

For the first time, Melbourne Build will be co-located with three major industry events, creating a powerful, cross-sector platform: 

• InstallerSHOW Melbourne 
• The Fire Safety Event Australia 
• The Security Event Australia 

With expanded content, cutting-edge technologies, and networking opportunities, Melbourne Build Expo 2026 is set to become a must-attend event for construction, infrastructure and design professionals across Victoria and beyond. 

 

Melbourne Build Expo 2026: Enquiries Now Open 

Early exhibitor, sponsorship and partnership enquiries for the 2026 edition are now underway. 

For more details on the 2025 post-show report or to register interest for Melbourne Build Expo 2026, visit melbournebuildexpo.com.

To enquire about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the marketing team at marketing@melbournebuildexpo.com.

Stay tuned for upcoming speaker announcements, conference agendas and new initiatives. 

 

About Oliver Kinross 

Oliver Kinross is part of the Nineteen Group and is a global B2B events company specialising in large-scale construction exhibitions and conferences. With flagship shows in London, New York, Sydney, Chicago and Melbourne, the company has a fast-growth model, innovative event format and commitment to market-leading content.