A new government funding package aims to create a "pipeline of events" in Wollongong, Newcastle and Greater Sydney between now and the end of the year.
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Business event organisers from across Australia have until May 31 to apply for funding of up to $90,000 to host events in one of the three cities for at least 50 and up to 900 people.
The NSW government's Kickstart 2021 Sydney Business Events Fund forms part of its $51.5 million tourism package launched last month.
The $4 million Kickstart fund offers up to $45,000 for one-day events and up to $90,000 for two-day events in Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, matched dollar-for-dollar by event organisers.
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said the fund was designed to focus on business tourism, and provide vital support for hotels and venues hard hit by the pandemic.
"We're helping the event owners, businesses, local tourism organisations, councils and industry groups that need it most by stimulating activity now and creating a pipeline of events and visitors into the future," Mr Ayres said.
"The business events industry is a powerhouse of the NSW visitor economy because it attracts high yield visitors who stay multiple nights, and these events engage many industry partners from accommodation and catering to staging, AV and other event delivery services."
Today's announcement by the government also includes $1.5 million for regional conferencing - offering organisers up to $15,000 for events with up to 150 delegates, and up to $30,000 for events with more than 150 delegates.
As well there's a $1 million Tourism Industry Marketing Support package, in which Destination NSW will match dollar-for-dollar between $10,000 and $50,000 for operators to deliver marketing activities to promote visitor experiences, attractions, tours and accommodation.
Sydney's business events bidding specialists BESydney will administer funding on behalf of the government, in partnership with Destination NSW.
Visit www.meetinsydney.com.au for the Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong program and www.meetinnsw.com.au for business events elsewhere in regional NSW.
To apply for the Tourism Industry Marketing Support package visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/news-and-media/tourism-recovery.
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