5 October, 2021

Victoria’s National Business Events Program is back, bigger and better than ever

Bridge near Flinders Warf and the Melbourne Exhibitions Centre. This bridge has beautiful steel work with incredible arches.

Applications are now open for the next round of Victoria’s National Business Events Program, offering eligible event organisers more choice and more cash to offset costs for hosting events anywhere in the state.

The funding program has been topped up to provide a three-fold cash boost to attract events to Melbourne, and a new funding stream is now available for events hosted in regional Victoria.

The expanded program boasts increased funding amounts, with up to $90,000 per applicant to hold multi-year business events in Melbourne, plus grants available up to $25,000 per applicant to hold events in regional Victoria before 31 December 2023.

Cash grants offered under the National Business Events Program can be put towards accommodation, venue hire, transport and other event costs, and depending on where the event is held, 50 per cent may be payable before the event commences to cover upfront expenses.

Eligible events include conferences, trade exhibitions, workshops and seminars, as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events with a business event program.

Launched in May, the National Business Events Program has provided a much-needed lift to the business events sector, building confidence with planners and key decision-makers to plan and book their events in Melbourne.

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) received more than 200 expressions of interest, with 73 events approved to date. These funded events are expected to provide $102 million in economic contribution to the state.

MCB chief executive Julia Swanson said business event organisers from anywhere in Australia can apply for funding, which will provide a much needed helping hand to business event organisers.

“There are now two funding streams available to offset actual costs for hosting events in Victoria – for events to be held in Melbourne and now for events held in regional Victoria,” she said.

“We have worked closely with Business Events Victoria (BEV) who will administer the regional arm of the program, which is designed to stimulate short- and medium-term recovery of the business events sector right across our state.”

BEV executive officer Chris Porter said this funding is a crucial step in aiding the recovery of the business events sector.

“Business events are critical in fuelling regional economies mid-week and in off-peak times, and it will be great to see business teams connect and strategise face-to-face again right across Victoria – from Mildura to Mallacoota – and everywhere in between,” he said.

“After an unfathomably challenging year, this funding program will help rebuild confidence amongst event organisers so they start booking events again, both regionally and in Melbourne.”

Grants are available for a limited time, with applications closing 31 December 2021, or earlier if available funding is exhausted.

Application and eligibility details are available here.

Featured image source: iStock/patrickoberem

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business events Julia Swanson MCB Melbourne Convention Bureau National Business Events Program victoria Victorian Government