'Overwhelmingly positive' feedback and continuation of business disruption prompted the extension. Photo Credit: ATSA Independent Living Expo 2021
Business Events Perth has announced an extension of the Event Here Now funding scheme by six months.
Through the fund, organisers of new business events held in Western Australia can apply for sponsorship up to A$15 (US$11) per delegate, with total support capped at A$10,000.
The funds can be put towards local business event costs such as catering, audio-visual equipment, venue hire and other approved business event costs.
Since its launch in August 2020, the Event Here Now initiative has drawn "overwhelmingly positive" feedback, according to Business Events Perth Chief Executive Gareth Martin.
“The purpose of this initiative was to support the recovery of the Western Australian business events industry, after major disruption to the sector caused by the global pandemic,” Martin said.
Through the initiative, Business Events Perth has supported 202 State-based events. "Clients have told us that without this sponsorship, their events would not have been able to proceed with certainty, if at all," Martin added.
“While there are positive signs for the local industry with the lifting of local venue capacity restrictions, we’re aware that the transition ahead will be challenging, so we’re extending our support to the end of this year.”
Eligible events include conferences, exhibitions or tradeshows, workshops and seminars, as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events with a business event programme.
Western Australian Tourism Minister David Templeman welcomed the extension, stating the funding provided to Business Events Perth by the State Government supported the local industry and the long supply chain of jobs associated with business events.
“We all love to meet in-person, and it is encouraging that Western Australians have returned to business events with enthusiasm,” Templeman said.
“Business Events Perth has supported events all over Western Australia, from Kununurra to Albany, that have brought more than 100,000 delegates together to meet, connect and collaborate.
“This is a great result for our State’s business events sector, which supports thousands of jobs across a range of local businesses, big and small, and shows that the appetite for events and meeting in-person is strong in Western Australia.”
Event Here Now sponsorship is valid only for new business event bookings to be held in Western Australia prior to 31 December, 2021.
The total funding support is determined by the event duration and number of delegates attending the event in-person.
To enquire about funding availability for your event, contact Business Events Perth’s Business Development Team on 08 9218 2900 or visit www.businesseventsperth.com.