Australia commits another $3m to Bid Fund programme to attract international events

Business Events Australia has received a further AUD$3m funding for its Bid Fund Programme, as well as releasing a new video series showcasing Australian innovation. The Bid Fund Programme is designed to secure new international business events coming to Australia, by offering financial support at the bidding stage. Tourism Australia provided the additional AUD$3m to the programme, which Business Events Australia has now extended for another year. The organisation’s new video series ‘Australia Innovates’ goes in tandem with the new funding, aiming to showcase Australia as a destination for business events. The documentary-style series is available online here, and showcases six Australians pursuing research and innovation across various sectors including AI, health, environmental restoration and manufacturing. Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan commented: “Since its launch in 2018, the Business Events Bid Fund Programme has helped attract 40 international events to Australia worth approximately AUD$411 million in economic value. “Because Australia’s economic and health response to Covid-19 has been among the best in the world, Australia is well placed to attract more international events when travel resumes. As part of our plan, we will also showcase Australian innovation to event planners in North America, United Kingdom and Europe to secure more international events. “The people who attend business events also book hotel rooms, they eat at restaurants, buy coffees, visit shops and stay to enjoy our tourist attractions, so this support is great news for businesses and communities.”