Government program to fund up to 50% of business events costs.
The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has hailed an announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison which confirms $50 million in support for Australia’s business events industry.
The new Australian Business Events Grants Program will see organisers of meetings, conventions, incentive and exhibitions able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50% of their costs (between $10,000 and $250,000).
The funding is part of the Government’s $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund which supports sectors severely impacted by the pandemic.
BECA will now lead the industry’s work with officials on the design and implementation of the program. “Our goal is to get money flowing through the supply chain as soon as possible,” said BECA Chair Dr Vanessa Findlay.
“Australia’s business events industry is deeply appreciative of the Federal Goverment’s support through this grants program,” she said. “We can now look to rebuilding business confidence and kick-starting momentum across the entire business events supply chain.”
BECA also called for clear guidelines on state and territory border reopenings, to provide predictability and transparency in the way borders are being managed so businesses can “plan and book their next business event with confidence”.
More details in Travel Daily today and next week’s edition of Business Events News.
