Natalie O’Brien is an award-winning leader in the tourism and events industry, with a career spanning more than 25 years. Currently she is the Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where she is responsible for the overall management, business planning and strategic direction of the business. In this role, Natalie also has oversight of operational planning and future management of the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) opening in 2026.

Natalie is a former CEO of Food + Wine Victoria, the producers of Australia’s internationally acclaimed Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. During her tenure at the Festival, the event attracted over 6 million food and wine lovers to Melbourne and regional Victoria and was named by the New York Times a ‘must do’ experience in 2017.

Prior to joining MCEC, Natalie ran her own strategic design agency for five years, working across the tourism and events sector. During this time, she took on part-time CEO roles with Wine Victoria, the peak body representing the $6.2 billion Victorian wine industry, as well as Ballarat Regional Tourism, working on visitor economy recovery plans.

Over many years in the experience economy, Natalie has developed strong and dynamic relationships with key stakeholders and partners. As a facilitator of business growth and reinvigoration, Natalie sits on several boards, advisory committee’s and actively supports younger entrants to the sector.

Her contribution to Australia’s food, wine and tourism industry is recognised through numerous awards. Most notably, Natalie was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours list for significant service to tourism, wine and the community.

Prior to Food and Wine Victoria Natalie spent 12 years between Tourism Victoria and the City of Melbourne in events, marketing, and cultural development roles

Natalie believes her passion for people ‘is in the genes’ owing to four generations of hoteliers. Her grandmother, a long-standing publican in her hometown Geelong, was an inspiring role model who knew her customers by name making their experience both delightful and closely personal.

In March 2024, Natalie was appointed to the Board of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, for a term of three years, and was appointed as a Ministerial Director on the William Angliss Institute Board, from 1 May 2024 to 2027.