NZ$50 million Regional Events Fund will support events in nine major regions across the country. Photo Credit: CINZ
Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) has welcomed the announcement of a NZ$50 million Regional Events Fund by the New Zealand government, which will support nine major regions across the country.
The Regional Events Fund comes as a welcome addition to the government’s Domestic Events Fund, in which 20 of the 200 events receiving support were conferences and business events.
CINZ chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, says she is pleased to see more support for the industry.
“It is good to see the sector has been recognised as an important driver of the domestic visitor industry, and business events have been acknowledged as a high-value contributor to regional visitation,” she said.
“This longer-term investment in events will support the rebuilding of the visitor economy and provide valuable assistance for the people who work within it.
“The fund will be a major boost for existing events, as well as the chance to develop new ones, building capability across the country. It gives the industry some funding opportunity across the next two to four years and will be especially helpful for 2021 and beyond.”
While the mechanics of how the fund will be distributed is not yet clear, Hopkins said CINZ is encouraging regional tourism organisations to apply to "ensure business events have a fair share of the fund".
CINZ will also offer support to convention bureaus across New Zealand Convention as they work through the process.