A new fund to support the creation of regional events and foster the development of existing community events has been announced today by the NSW Government.
Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet said registrations are now open for Round One of the 2017 Incubator Event Fund for organisers of new and emerging regional events held between January and June 2017, invited to submit applications for funding.
“The new Incubator Event Fund, part of the expanded Regional Flagship Events Program, provides one-off annual grants of up to $20,000,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Managed by the State’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, the 2017 Incubator Event Fund will extend our calendar of regional events and foster development of events in their infancy to grow attendance beyond their local community, which is a huge boost for our overnight visitor economy.”
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the new fund will help expand our popular Regional NSW Events Calendar which already features a diverse range of food and wine, arts, music, and sporting events.
“Regional events have an important role in taking visitors on an incredible journey through NSW, showcasing our destinations, our attractions and regional communities, while bringing economic benefit to the regions,” Mr Ayres said.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase encouraged event organisers who are staging an event for the first or second time, to review the fund criteria and learn more about the opportunities on offer.
“We are excited to be offering both new and existing smaller scale events in Regional NSW the chance to apply for the new 2017 Incubator Event Fund,” Ms Chipchase said.
“The Fund will assist with elements including event staging costs such as venue hire, marketing and publicity to drive event awareness and attendance, and research to better understand audience demographics and plan for future growth.”
Applications for Round One of the 2017 Incubator Event Fund are open until Sunday 30 October 2016 with Round Two applications for events held in July – December 2017, set to open in February next year.
To lodge an application and to view the 2017 Incubator Event Fund’s key criteria visit http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/rfep
In July this year, Mr Perrottet announced the creation of Destination Sydney Surrounds North which allowed Hawkesbury, for the first time, to access various regional tourism funds thanks to the creation of Destination Sydney Surrounds North.
“Hawkesbury has so much to offer as a tourism destination, and is a haven for adventure and nature lovers. We believe it will play a key role within Destination Sydney Surrounds North.”
“For the first time, industry, local government and tourism organisations in the Hawkesbury Local Government Area will be eligible to apply for various tourism funds including the Regional Visitor Economy Contestable Fund and Regional Flagship Events Program which are managed and administered by the State’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW,” said Mr Perrottet.