The Regional Business Events Program is offering financial support to event organisers choosing regional Victoria to the tune of $80 per delegate for domestic conferences and $150 per delegate for international incentives.
The conference stream will be managed by Business Events Victoria, while the new incentive stream will be overseen by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB).
“The International Incentive Events Program marks a first for regional Victoria, enhancing our state’s allure for international incentive groups,” said MCB chief executive, Julia Swanson.
Funding for a single conference is capped at $40,000 while funding for an incentive in regional Victoria, through this program, is capped at $22,350.
“Business Events Victoria’s focus is on attracting national conferences to regional destinations across the state that align with key regional industries,” said Business Events Victoria’s general manager, Chris Porter.
“This funding will go a long way to further encourage and support these important events for Victoria.”
Organisers can use the funds to offset event costs including venue hire, transport, accommodation and marketing.
Incentive groups eligible for funding must have anywhere from 10 to 149 international delegates and spend at least one night in regional Victoria. For conferences, there must be at least 25 in-person delegates per day for at least two days – and up to 500 delegates – with at least 20 room nights generated for regional Victoria or at least 40 per cent of delegates using local accommodation.
All events applying to the Regional Business Events Program must be new business for regional Victoria and can’t be already confirmed or contracted for the state.
Events must be held between January 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
