COVID-19 National: Business – Business Events Grants Program

This program aims to empower the business events sector which, due to COVID-19, has seen cancellation of events contributing to a near 100% loss of revenue. It forms part of the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund which is providing assistance to sectors, regions and communities disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19.

The objectives of the program are to:
- Support delegates that are buying or selling to participate in ‘business events’. Business events includes exhibitions, conferences, and conventions.
- Promote Australian businesses, including to a domestic audience.

There are two key phases involved in the program:
1. Phase 1: Schedule of Approved Business Events
- Allow event owners to apply to have their event included on the Schedule of Approved Business Events.
- Expression of interest opened on 30 November 2020 and closes 26 February 2021, 5pm or when funds are fully committed, whichever comes first.

2. Phase 2: The Business Events Grants program
- If an event is listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events, businesses will be able to apply for funding to cover up to 50% of eligible costs of attending the event. Businesses will need to contribute the remaining 50% of funding, equal to the grant amount awarded.
- Grants between $10,000 and $250,000 are available. Businesses can apply for multiple events per application or submit multiple applications for events on the Schedule, however they can only receive up to a maximum of $250,000 per entity.
- Application opened 4 January and closes 30 March 2021, or when funds are fully allocated.

A total funding pool of $50 million is available.

Eligible applicants must:
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be one of the following entities:
a) An individual (sole trader)
b) A partnership
c) A company, incorporated in Australia
d) An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
e) An Industry Association promoting the selling or buying of a product or service on behalf of its members

Joint applications are acceptable, provided they have a lead organisation who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible activities must meet the following criteria:
1. For business events
- The business event’s topic or subject matter aligns with one or more of the Australian government priority sectors. These include but are not limited to mining, food and agribusiness, oil and gas, medical products, clean energy, plastics and waste recycling, defence, space, enabling digital technologies, tourism, design, fashion and media.
- The business event has a business to business component that brings together delegates and exhibitors for a product and service exchange. Applicants must provide an estimate on the proportionality of the business to business component and expected number of business delegates/exhibitors.
- The business event must be a multi-day event held in 2021 and deliver a significant economic impact for the host region through overnight stays and supporting interstate travel.
- For business events in metro locations there must be a minimum of 100 participants, with no minimum number for regional locations. Regional locations are any destination outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and Canberra. The location of events is open across all regions of Australia.
- The business event has been held previously and the event owner has previous experience in the business events sector running similar events with evidence of delegates and exhibitors origin breakdown.
- As a demand driven program, the business event must be open for registrations for delegates/exhibitors to book, or will be open for registrations within a month of being listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events (with a cut-off date of 26 February 2021 for final registration). Priority will be given to events that are open for registration at the time of submitting an EOI.
- The business event must meet all relevant regulatory requirements, including having COVID-safe protocols in place.
- The business event will support the overall objectives of the Business Events grant program including:
a)  Enhance industry match making opportunities and deliver Australian product and service value add.
b) Promote Australian business capability, including to a domestic audience.
c) Strengthen supply chain resilience for the Australian economy.

2. For business grants
- Exhibition, conference and convention attendance and participation.
- Activities associated with buyers and sellers for a product or service exchange/promoting their business at the pre-approved event.
- Networking activities within the pre-approved event.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible expenditure.