Applications for the next round of Victoria’s National Business Events Program have opened, offering eligible event organisers cash grants to offset costs for hosting events in Melbourne and in regional Victoria.

Grants are available for a limited time with applications closing 5pm Wednesday 30 September 2022.

In an effort to sustain growing momentum across the business events sector, this third round of the funding initiative is offering grants of up to $80,000 per applicant to hold business events in Melbourne and up to $40,000 for events in regional Victoria between 1 December 2022 and 31 December 2024.

Eligible events include conferences, trade exhibitions, association meetings as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events with a business event program, and can be put towards accommodation, venue hire, transport and other event costs such as marketing and promotion.

The program, which launched in the 2021 with support from the Victorian Government, is administered by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and Business Events Victoria (BEV). So far, it has supported more than 90 business events, with events hosted across 2022 and 2023 expected to attract 33,000 delegates to Victoria and inject $108 million into the local economy.

“The program has been instrumental in guiding and driving recovery of the sector from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting demand, supporting our local supply chain, and providing planners and key decision-makers with the confidence to plan and book their events in Melbourne,” MCB chief executive Julia Swanson said.

BEV executive officer Chris Porter said business events are a critical driver for the visitor economy in regional Victoria, as they promote visitation to our regions outside the traditional peak periods.

“The business events sector has been one of the hardest hit and still continues to be impacted, as confidence slowly returns to the sector. The entire business events eco system has been affected and this funding will support and encourage more businesses to get out there and host more events,” Porter said.

“Working collaboratively with the Melbourne Convention Bureau in the delivery of this program positions the entire state as a leader nationally for business events.”