The Victorian Government has opened a new round of the Regional Business Events Program to attract more conferences, corporate meetings, trade exhibitions and incentive events to regional Victoria, supporting local businesses, creating jobs and strengthening the region’s visitor economy. Delivered by Business Events Victoria and the Melbourne Convention Bureau, the program enables national and international organisations to host business events across regional Victoria. The initiative aims to strengthen the regional business events sector by encouraging visitors to stay longer, generating economic opportunities for local communities and creating prospects for repeat visitation.
The program offers funding through two streams. The Strategic Acquisition Events stream, delivered by Business Events Victoria, provides grants of up to $50,000 for eligible business events held in regional Victoria with a minimum of 25 delegates. The International Incentive Events stream, delivered by the Melbourne Convention Bureau, offers grants of up to $200 per delegate, depending on the location, for new international incentive events involving at least 10 delegates. Funding is available for eligible events scheduled before 31 March 2028. The grants can help cover a range of event-related expenses, including accommodation, venue hire, food and beverage, transport and other associated costs, making regional Victoria a more attractive destination for business event organisers.
The previous round of the program supported 80 new business events, attracting more than 6,530 delegates to regional Victoria and generating an estimated $16.5 million in economic benefits for regional communities. Building on these results, the latest round seeks to expand business event opportunities across the region while supporting tourism, employment and local enterprise.
Anthony Carbines, Minister for Major Events, said, “From conferences to seminars, we’re helping regional towns host more business events to boost local economies. These grants will get business events out to the regions, driving investment and keeping local businesses busy throughout the year.”
Adeline Keh, Executive Officer of Business Events Victoria, said, “Regional Victoria offers an exceptional range of destinations and experiences for business events, and the Regional Business Events Program helps bring these opportunities to market. Attracting new conferences, meetings and incentive events delivers immediate benefits for regional communities and creates opportunities for future visitation, investment and growth.”
Julia Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, said, “The Regional Business Events Program enables organisers to deliver memorable experiences in some of Victoria’s outstanding regional destinations, driving visitation, supporting local businesses and creating jobs.”