Future of the Yarra Precinct - CEO Panel & River Cruise
Join the Yarra River Business Association's first networking event for 2026 - a special summer evening on the Yarra bringing together senior leaders to discuss the future of our iconic Melbourne precinct.
| February 24, 2026, 6.00pm — February 24, 2026, 7.30pm | |
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Members - Free Non-Members - $100 |
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| Yarra River Cruise, Berth 2, Federation Wharf |
Join us for our first event for 2026 on the Future of the Yarra Precinct - a special evening event bringing together senior leaders to explore the next chapter of the Yarra as one of Melbourne’s most important cultural, events and economic destinations.
Event overview
What: Future of the Yarra Precinct – keynote panel discussion + member engagement
When: Tuesday 24 February 2026 | 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Boarding: Please arrive by 5.45pm for a 6.00pm departure
Where: Yarra River Cruise, Berth 2, Federation Square
Duration: 90-minute cruise
About the event
This event will kick off the year with a high-impact, forward-looking conversation about the future of the Yarra precinct as a global events, arts, tourism and visitor economy destination.
The discussion will explore how Melbourne’s major anchor institutions can collectively shape growth, activation, investment and visitor experience along the river - and what this means for the next decade of precinct development.
Featured CEO panel
• John Harnden, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Park Trust
• Natalie O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Convention and Event Trust
• Katrina Sedgwick, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation
The panel will be facilitated and designed to be conversational, strategic and future-focused rather than technical.
Format
• Welcome drinks and brief Yarra precinct update
• Facilitated CEO panel discussion
• Audience Q&A
• Informal networking while cruising the Yarra
