National Business Events Program - Regional Victoria

National business events program
- Regional Victoria

Applications now closed

The National Business Events Program is now open offering funding to eligible event organisers to host new national business events in regional Victoria. Grants of up to $80 per delegate (up to 500 delegates and a maximum of $40,000) are available through the Victorian Government program being delivered by Business Events Victoria in partnership with Melbourne Convention Bureau.

The National Business Events Program is focused on attracting new domestic conferences, trade exhibitions or association meetings, as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events with a business event program, funding is available to offset actual costs for hosting their events in regional Victoria.

The National Business Events Program is part of the government’s $170 million Regional Tourism and Events Fund, which is working to ensure our regional tourism offering continues to be the very best by supporting new events, new attractions and more accommodation for visitors.

Cash grants offered can be put towards accommodation, venue hire, transport and other event cost such as marketing and promotion.

Eligibility and Mandatory Criteria - Regional Victorian Business Events

All submissions to the National Business Event Program – Regional Victoria will be assessed against mandatory criteria. Before submitting your applications, please ensure you have reviewed and addressed your events eligibility.

The business event must:

The regional, state, national or international event must be a business to business (B2B) event. A regional, state, national or international B2B event is defined as a corporate or association meeting, conference, convention, trade exhibition or corporate incentive event.
Corporate incentive events must include a gala/awards dinner and business events program.
The event must take place at a regional Victorian business event venue or venues (see list of eligible Local Government Areas in Attachment A).
The event must be attended by at least 25 in-person delegates. Virtual participants cannot be included in delegate numbers.
The event must have a minimum two-day business event program, with at least one-night stay, and at least 1.5 days meeting/program component, with travel times outside the 1.5 days.
The event must generate a minimum of 20 room nights, or at least 40 percent of total delegates requiring the use of local accommodation, whichever is the greater.
Event dates must occur before 31 March 2026.
Events must not be scheduled to take place prior to 1 January 2025.
If funding is granted to your event, the event venue must be secured via deposit payment, and a MCB Event Sponsorship Agreement completed within four (4) months of being notified.

** (Refer to National Business Event Program – Regional Victoria Guidelines for list of eligible Local Government Areas)

Apply now to the National Business Events Program

If you’re unable to apply or missed the application period, please email info@businesseventsvictoria.com to enquiry about support other grants which may be available.

The Incentive Events Program offers funding to host new international incentive events in Victoria that incorporate overnight stays in regional Victoria. Applications can be made by contacting the Melbourne Convention Bureau.

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