Business Events Grants

Up front grant funding for exhibitors, sponsors and others participating in “business events” including exhibitions, trade fairs, conferences and conventions.

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Business Events Grants

How it works

The incentive is that eligible businesses will receive funding based on their planned participation at business events in Australia up to 31 March 2022.

The grant is 50% of your planned expenses – you must pay the other 50% from your own funds (not from other grants). Grants of between $5,000 and $250,000 for participating in business events through to 31 March 2022.

Applications are open only until 30 June 2021, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.

 

Update

On 11 March 2021, the Australian Government announced an extension to the Business Events Grants program and changes to the program guidelines.

  • The minimum grant amount will be reduced to $5,000 (from $10,000) to allow smaller businesses the opportunity to apply.
  • Extending the support for events scheduled through to 31 March 2022 to allow events that were postponed early 2021 the opportunity to benefit from the program.
  • Increasing the number of delegates covered by the grant.
  • Increasing the sponsorship cap.
  • Expanding the priority sectors.
  • Applications for the grant will be extended to 30 June 2021.

More details around these announcements will be available by the end of March 2021. To be advised when they are released, subscribe to our updates or contact us.

 

Am I eligible for a grant?

The first step is to determine whether your business is eligible – below are the key requirements (without the legalistic language and detail – we can talk that through with you).

You intend to participate in one or more “approved events” up to March 2022 – there are a list of these, and many trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences that have a trade element bringing together buyers and sellers have been approved. 

Participation will assist your business do one or more of; 

  • Market diversification (particularly to the domestic market)
  • Improve supply chain value and resilience for the Australian economy
  • Enhance your ability to pivot to new markets
  • Support Australia’s regional economy

Your total expenditure will be at least $10,000

Your business aligns with a government policy sector and that sector will benefit

Have an ABN

  • Eligible legal structures are individuals; partnerships; Australian company; trusts; and Industry Associations
  • No limit on the size or turnover of the company.
Find out if you are eligible

What expenses are eligible?

Stand space and build
  • Space; package and custom builds
  • Hire of equipment including furniture, refrigeration, lighting; 
  • Wall graphics; signage etc
  • Contractors for build, plumbing, rigging etc
  • Stand cleaning

Registration fees

For conferences and seminars at the business event.

TIP: For exhibitors this is capped at a maximum of 10 people – staff and / or customers. For non exhibitors cap is 4 registrations per event.

Travel and accommodation

Reasonable domestic travel and accommodation for delegates and exhibitors. 

TIP: Limited to Economy airfares and government guidelines.

Promotional material

Marketing material, brochures, advertising (in event guides and external media); reaching out to meet buyers at the show; etc.

Digital promotion

Including a digital campaign (social media etc) and the set up display and design of AV material – but capped at 50% of your eligible non collateral costs.

Freight

To get equipment, displays and samples to the event; storage etc.

TIP: Includes insurance costs. 

Catering costs

For networking events, including on your stand.

Free samples

Handed out / consumed at the event.

Covid safe costs

To run a covid safe stand.

How we can help

Time is short to get a quality application lodged, containing all eligible costs across perhaps many events you plan to exhibit at or sponsor this year. We have over 20 years experience with the EMDG export grant, which is also under the Austrade umbrella. We provide a full service through to signing of the grant agreement and receipt of grant monies

Strategic advice

On the best approach for your business to access the Business Event Grant.

Prepare and lodge

Identify the key documents needed and prepare a quality application.

Negotiate

Stand alongside you, to get acceptance of items claimed.

Maximise the outcome

 

No grant, no fee

We work on a pure success fee. No hourly rates, no charge for advice. Our experienced team is located across Australia, contact us to find out whether you are eligible and how much you may be entitled to. Contact us directly or let us know a day and time to call you.

Contact us Book a call Meet our team

FAQs

How do I apply for the Business Event Grant?

Application is online through a portal – you can apply yourself or have an Advisor like ourselves take on the task.

I am sharing a stand with other exhibitors, can I still apply?

Yes, you can submit a group application, with one of you as lead; or you could apply in your own right if you have enough eligible costs or more events planned.

What is the deadline?

30 June 2021, but beware that;

  1. There may be caps on how much funding is allocated to some events. Once that amount has been approved to applicants, no funds for further applicants will be approved for those events.
  2. It will close once the funding is exhausted, which may be before 30 June.

Is the grant competitive?

No, but it is evaluated – so it is important to put forward your best submission on satisfying all the criteria including marketplace diversification, alignment with government priority sectors etc.

Is the grant limited by turnover or size of the company?

No, there is no restriction relating to size or turnover.

When do I find out if my grant application is successful?

Indications are 5 to 7 weeks after submitting your Application.

If my application is successful when do I receive the money?

Shortly after signing the grant agreement.

What expenses are NOT eligible?

Those paid prior to 4 January 2021; costs not directly related to the event; capital items; general business and operating costs; and some items that do relate to the event but are excluded, such as meals and ground transport. Check with us for more detail.

Can I claim for myself and my staff’s time preparing for and at the event?

No, but you can claim for (independent) contractors’ costs, including those engaged to provide services on your stand (such as a Chef for a food show or casual staff / assistants to hand out samples, marketing collateral etc).

Are my costs of travel, meals etc claimable?

The grant will fund 50% of your airfares (economy class) and reasonable accommodation but NOT your meals and taxis, Uber etc.

What about catering costs on stand, and samples of my product for demonstration?

Yes these are eligible.

Can I ask for more money if I have more costs?

Once you sign the grant agreement you can seek to vary your projects but NOT increase the total grant value.

Do I have to pay back the grant?

No – so long as you spend it as approved, and you provide the reports and proof of expenditure as required in the grant agreement.

What if the event is cancelled?

The grant monies will fund the non refundable costs – in an order of priority set out in the agreement.

What if the event is postponed?

The grant money stays with you until the new event date, so long as that is by 31 December 2022.

I paid for an event last year and it was postponed to this year – can I claim those costs?

No, you can only claim additional costs paid during this year.

Where can I get advice?

The government website or the phone enquiry line – or call us.

Must the goods be ‘Made in Australia’?

Not necessarily.