City officials hope that business events will bolster Melbourne's economic recovery. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Alexis
Melbourne's city council is allocating AU$200,000 for business events to be held in the city this year.
The
move is designed to enable and encourage more conferences, workshops,
seminars and other in-person events to be held in the city, as part of
continuing efforts to revitalise its economy.
The incentive programme is aimed at innovation in life sciences,
finance – including fintech and funds management – information and
communications technology, energy and the environment.
"We are doubling our support for business events in Melbourne because
we know that conferences and events are going to be doubly important as
a driver of economic activity in the central city post-Covid," said
acting lord mayor Nicholas Reece.
"Our tech industry in Victoria generates more than $38 billion to the
economy and through this investment, we're helping the industry grow,
bringing even more business events to Melbourne," Reece added.
Grants of up to AU$10,000 are now available for individuals and
organisations delivering events that “encourage office workers into the
city, support networking and collaboration and enhance business
development”.
Applications for funding are open until 29 August 2022, with events
to be held by the end of this financial year. Successful applicants will
be notified in November.