Melbourne Build Breaks Records as Oliver Kinross’ Most Triumphant Launch
Oliver Kinross, the global events powerhouse behind London Build, Sydney Build, New York Build and Chicago Build, has pulled off its most successful debut to date with Melbourne Build.
With more than 18,000 registrations already secured 11 weeks before opening, the event is projected to welcome around 30,000 attendees by October. This remarkable milestone cements its place as the most successful launch in the company’s global portfolio.
Not only has Melbourne Build hit record-breaking registration numbers, but it’s also attracted the highest exhibitor and speaker confirmations of any first-year edition across the Kinross series. It’s a launch that underscores Melbourne’s status as a city ripe for a construction-focused gathering of this scale.
Why Melbourne Is the Perfect Host
The expo takes place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on 22–23 October 2025. The city itself is an ideal choice. Melbourne is on track to surpass Sydney as Australia’s most populous city, fuelled by rapid urbanisation and a booming economy. Significant investments in infrastructure, coupled with a housing shortage, have created immense demand for construction innovation.
The Victorian Government’s ambitious $90 billion ‘Big Build’ programme—spanning more than 165 major road and rail projects—demonstrates the scale of opportunity. On top of that, housing targets of 800,000 new homes over the next decade make Melbourne a hotspot for industry engagement.
A Mega-Event in Every Sense
Melbourne Build is more than an exhibition—it’s a full-scale industry festival. Visitors can expect:
- Over 300 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge solutions
- More than 450 speakers across 12 specialised summits
- CPD-accredited workshops for professional development
- “Meet the Buyer” sessions for high-level networking
- A Festival of Construction featuring live entertainment and after-hours events
This is no ordinary trade show; it’s a comprehensive platform for learning, networking and deal-making.
Strong Endorsement from Leadership
The event’s prestige is underscored by its official opening, led by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and supported by the Premier of Victoria. Such high-level involvement reinforces its importance as both an industry showcase and a policy-shaping forum.
Stephanie Li, Marketing Manager at Oliver Kinross, highlighted the scale of the success: “Melbourne Build has surpassed all expectations. It’s already on an unprecedented 18,000 registered attendees for a launch show. The huge interest we’ve had in Melbourne Build reinforces the importance of a construction show and forum for the rapidly growing city of Melbourne. By the time of the show, we envisage in the region of 30,000 attendee registrations, with representation from all the main players in its construction industry.”
Global Expansion, Local Resonance
As part of the Nineteen Group, Oliver Kinross has perfected the art of creating city-specific construction expos. London, New York, Chicago and Sydney Build have each become staples in their respective markets, and Melbourne Build is already positioning itself as a critical addition.
The strategy is clear: target mega-cities experiencing rapid population growth, high GDP and a pressing need for new infrastructure. Melbourne fits that bill perfectly, and the success of this launch proves the model is resonating with industry leaders.
A Catalyst for Growth
The buzz surrounding Melbourne Build isn’t just about registrations. The event provides a rare opportunity for contractors, developers, policymakers and investors to meet face-to-face and tackle some of the sector’s biggest challenges. With sustainability, digital transformation, modular construction and green building materials dominating global conversations, the expo offers a platform to accelerate innovation.
Workshops and summits will also provide insights into the latest technologies shaping the future, from Building Information Modelling (BIM) to AI-driven project management tools. By bringing together such a broad spectrum of expertise, Melbourne Build promises to spark collaboration that will influence projects across Victoria and beyond.
A Bright Future for Construction Dialogue
Melbourne Build is set to become more than just an annual event. It’s positioning itself as a living laboratory for the construction sector—a space where strategies are formed, innovations tested, and partnerships forged.
Industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on what emerges from the discussions and collaborations. The event’s scale, timing and government support make it a unique milestone for both Melbourne and Oliver Kinross, setting a new standard for international construction expos.
