The NSW Government will provide Diploma of Event Management scholarships to 20 aspiring event managers across regional NSW through a partnership with Meetings and Events Australia (MEA).

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said the scholarships would play an important role in stimulating new business event activity in regional communities.

“The business events sector presents a major opportunity for the visitor economy, particularly for regional NSW,” Minister Ayres said.

“We know that the best way forward is to help to create more jobs and these scholarships will do exactly that – giving people the tools and extra support needed to kick-start their careers.”

MEA chief executive officer Peter McDonald said he was looking forward to welcoming the fourth intake of regional students at a time when creating skills is key to enhancing career opportunities in the regions.

“MEA’s Diploma of Event Management is an events industry-built and delivered qualification which allows our students to gain an applied education by learning about sector concepts in real-world, real-time contexts,” McDonald said.

“That regional NSW events are increasingly benefiting from the strong skillsets gained by the growing number of scholarship program graduates is testament to its quality and success.”

The scholarships are an initiative of the NSW Government’s $6 million Regional Conferencing Strategy and Action Plan.

The 20 recipients were selected by a panel, which included representatives from the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, MEA and the state’s six Destination Networks.