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

Bid Fund Program extended with $3 million funding boost

Tourism Australia has announced further commitment to the Bid Fund Program with an additional $3 million to cover new pledges and confirmed bids for a further 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 per cent. Tourism Australia encourages interested parties to visit and apply through the Business Events Australia website. Applications are currently open and will close on 30 June 2022. 

Boost Program extended through FY21/22 with $1 million in funding

Tourism Australia’s Business Events Boost Program has received a further $1 million in funding to extend through the next financial year. Launched in June 2020, the Program 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. Industry are encouraged to apply online via the Business Events Australia website, with applications open from 3 May to 30 June 2021 for projects and activity taking place before 30 June 2022.

New Australia Innovates video series showcases 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. 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.