Community
11 October, 2024
Applications open for business events
APPLICATIONS have opened for the Regional Business Events Program, providing grants to support event organisers to host business events in regional Victoria, including within the Corangamite Shire.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos announced the opening recently, saying the program aims to bring conferences, exhibitions, meetings, seminars, and international travel groups to regional Victoria.
“These grants are providing a real opportunity for event organisers to host one-of-a-kind experiences in some of Victoria’s most beautiful towns,” he said.
“Events, conferences and attractions boost regional tourism, back local businesses and create new job opportunities in our regions – while also giving people the chance to experience new parts of our great state.”
Funding is available to offset costs such as accommodation, venue hire, transport and marketing of events.
The program, delivered by Business Events Victoria and the Melbourne Convention Bureau, has two funding streams available – the International Incentives Event Program and the National Business Events Program.
Under the new International Incentives Event Program, event planners can receive $150 per delegate for each night they stay in regional Victoria.
The National Business Events Program offers grants of up to $80 per delegate (up to a maximum of $40,000) for eligible event organisers to host new business events across regional Victoria.
Business Events Victoria general manager Chris Porter said the funding will go “a long way” to encourage and support business events in Victoria.
“Business Events Victoria’s focus is on attracting national conferences to regional destinations across the state that align with key regional industries,” he said.
The Regional Business Events Program is part of the $170 million Regional Tourism and Events Fund which aims to ensure regional tourism offerings continue by supporting new events and attractions that bring more people to our regions.
Applications for the Regional Business Events Program close on October 21.
For more information about the program, how to apply and eligibility details, visit businesseventsvictoria.com.