Tourism Australia announces $1.5m program to support domestic business events sector

Tourism Australia announces $1.5m program to support domestic business events sector
By Travel Weekly


A new $1.5 million program has been launched to help the domestic business events sector get back on its feet in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and drive new business to regions around Australia.

Tourism Australia’s Business Events Boost Program will provide convention bureaux, convention centres, professional conference organisers, and event managers with the opportunity to leverage the agency’s expertise and help win new domestic business.

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said getting the domestic business events industry up and running as quickly as possible would be critical to the industry’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

“Business events are one of the most crucial sectors of our tourism industry, delivering huge economic benefits to communities around Australia,” Birmingham said.

“The sector has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, with the widespread cancellations of many domestic business events and a significant number of international events postponed.

“With restrictions now starting to lift and interstate travel starting to re-commence, this program will help venues and destinations to better market themselves in what is a highly competitive industry and secure lucrative corporate meetings, annual conferences, exhibitions, and incentive events.

“Business events have major flow-on effects by helping to fill hotels, bars and restaurants, and will provide a much-needed boost to businesses and local economies as they rebuild from the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.”

The Business Events Boost Program aims to provide the local MICE industry with the skills and resources it needs to drive new business for Australia through a range of marketing and distribution initiatives.

Penny Lion, executive general manager of events at Tourism Australia, said the program represents a shift in focus towards the domestic business events space, and also forms part of a broader recovery strategy being delivered by Business Events Australia.

“With international travel restrictions likely to be in place for some time yet, the recovery of Australia’s business events industry will be driven by domestic activity as soon as it is safe and practical to do so,” she said.

“We are very pleased to be launching the Business Events Boost Program as part of our overall strategy to help the Australian business events industry recover from the impacts of COVID-19, and are looking forward to partnering with them to deliver initiatives to help kickstart domestic business events.

“The program is a domestic iteration of our already successful and internationally-focused Advance Program, and will provide the industry an opportunity to access funding for innovative marketing and distribution initiatives.”

The new Business Events Boost Program will be run by Tourism Australia’s dedicated business events unit, Business Events Australia, throughout the next financial year. Applications will open on 1 July 2020 and close on 30 September 2020.

For more information, including details on eligibility criteria, can be found here.

Latest News

  • Conferences

Cvent Accelerate Sydney finds event growth will come from pre-, during and post-event data

Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events and hospitality technology provider, has concluded its third edition of Cvent Accelerate in Sydney, where technology’s role in catapulting growth was front and centre. The 341 attendees were challenged to think how they are currently using data and additional ways to unlock its potential, particularly across marketing, in scaling event […]

  • Food & Beverage

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney popular Aperitivo returns to Grain Bar

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney is relaunching its popular Aperitivo, now located in the George St venue’s award-winning Grain Bar. Originally launched into Mode Kitchen & Bar in 2023, Aperitivo is inspired by the classic Italian evening ritual where guests enjoy a cocktail, paired with traditional Italian antipasti bites. It became a much-loved offering for Sydneysiders […]

  • Hotels

nb_ OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa completes US$60 million renovation

Hawai’i’s OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa has completed its US$60 million (AU$90 million) renovation as is once again ready to welcome guests to Keauhou, a name that signifies “New Era”. The revitalised 511 guest rooms/suites and meeting spaces blend the property’s heritage and reverence for voyaging with modern aesthetics. The concept of “koi au” inspired […]

  • Events

Merlin Venues Sydney partners with bespoke catering

Merlin Venues Sydney, the events arm of Merlin Entertainments, has announced a new partnership with Sydney-based culinary experts, Bespoke Catering ahead of its event season. Merlin Venues Sydney hosts a range of unique public and private events across their four leading attractions in the city. These include the iconic SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE […]

  • Business
  • Events
  • Exhibitions

Sprintr launches world’s first 100% recyclable kiosk for delegate registration

Sprintr has launched its sustainable, lightweight, modular EcoKiosk for delegate registrations, to support the events industry in reducing its carbon footprint. Made from Re-Board® Technology, a durable, versatile, lightweight, printable and 100 percent recyclable product, this impressive design gives the business events industry the option to reduce their environmental impact and deliver on sustainability KPIs. […]