NOVEMBER 2021
EVENTS NEWS
Events in Focus
47
Victoria’s Business Event Program given extra cash Applications are now open for the next round of the National Business Events Program, offering eligible event organisers more choice and more cash to offset costs for hosting events anywhere in Victoria. 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, up to $90,000 per applicant to hold multiyear 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. The National Business Events Program launched in May, with Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) receiving more than 200 expressions of interest, with 73 events approved to date. MCB Chief Executive Julia Swanson said business event organisers can apply for funding to help event organisers in both in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Applications are open until 31 December 2021, or earlier, if available funding is exhausted.