Tourism Australia reveals extra support for the business events sector

Tourism Australia’s specialist business events unit, Business Events Australia, has today made a series of announcements of additional support the Australian business events sector with the aim of driving demand for future business through continued funding for the Bid Fund Program and Boost Program, as well as releasing a new video series showcasing Australian innovation.

Noting that the business events sector contributed $36 billion to the Australian economy before COVID-19, Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan today advised “since its launch in 2018, the Business Events Bid Fund Program has helped attract 40 international events to Australia worth approximately $411 million in economic value.

“Because Australia’s economic and health response to COVID-19 has been among the best in the world, Australia is well placed to attract more international events when travel resumes. As part of our plan, we will also showcase Australian innovation to event planners in North America, United Kingdom and Europe to secure more international events.

“Our additional support to attract international business events to Australia complements our $50 million Business Events Grants Program that supports local businesses to attend local business events, conventions, trade shows and conferences and the $1.2 billion aviation and tourism support package designed to turbocharge domestic tourism spending.

“The people who attend business events also book hotel rooms, they eat at restaurants, buy coffees, visit shops and stay to enjoy our tourist attractions, so this support is great news for businesses and communities.”

Bid Fund Program extended another year following grant of $3 million
Tourism Australia has also revealed an additional $3 million for the Bid Fund Program to cover new pledges and confirmed bids for an additional 12 months through FY21/22.

The Bid Fund Program is designed to increase the conversion of bids for new international business events by offering financial support at the critical bidding stage. Since the program launched in 2018, 40 events have been won worth approximately $411 million in economic value to Australia, representing a conversion rate of 58%.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison commented with COVID-19 restrictions lifting and consumer confidence rising, this program will continue to assist those bidding against international competitors for events and continue to position Australia as a leading business events destination.”

Tourism Australia encourages interested parties to visit and apply through the Business Events Australia website. Applications are currently open and close 30 June 2022.

Business Events Boost Program extended with $1 million in funding through FY 21/22
A further $1 million in funding for the Business Events Boost Program has also been announced.

The Business Events Boost Program, launched in June 2020, will continue to provide Australia’s business events industry with the opportunity to access funding support to deliver industry-led projects that will help win domestic business events across FY21/22. 

Speaking on this, Harrison noted “given the positive feedback that we’ve received from industry about the Business Events Boost Program, we felt it was essential to provide additional funding so that industry can continue to access support while demand for domestic business events increases."

Applications will open on 3rd May 2021 for projects and activity taking place before 30th June 2022. Applicants will need to apply before the upcoming deadline of 30th June, with applications taken through the Business Events Australia website. 

Further information on the Bid Fund and the Business Events Boost Programs, including details on eligibility criteria, can be found on the Business Events Australia website. 

Australia Innovates video series launched to demonstrate Australia’s wide-ranging expertise
The latest instalment of Business Events Australia’s Australia Innovates content initiative has been launched as a video series as part of a broader recovery strategy to position Australia as a leading business events destination.

The documentary-style video series showcases six Australians pursuing world first research, discovery, invention, innovation and intervention across several knowledge sectors including artificial intelligence, health, nanotechnology, environmental restoration and advanced manufacturing. 

Harrison added “our Australia Innovates videos series highlights Australia’s expertise across a wide range of fields, positioning us as a world-leading association meetings destination where delegates can experience innovation firsthand.”

Originally developed as a print magazine, the new Australia Innovates video series is available on the Business Events Australia website and will be promoted to association customers in North America, United Kingdom and Europe through targeted marketing activity across business events publications and social media. 

Click here to access details on the Business Events Australia website.