Canberra announces $50m grants program for exhibitors

In good news for the Australian comms sector, the federal government has announced a $50 million grants program to help local companies display their wares at exhibitions and other events.

With Comms Connect’s physical events scheduled to begin again next year, this will be a welcome development for Australian communications sector businesses that meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

In announcing the program, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that businesses will be encouraged to attend events, trade shows and conferences within Australia, and that the grants will help to cover costs such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation.

“Getting business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry, but will also have huge flow-on effects through the entire economy,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ — whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those offering audio-visual services.”

Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian firms exhibiting at an approved business meeting, convention, conference or incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants of between $10,000 and $250,000 to cover up to 50% of their costs.

“With many international trade shows out of reach for the time being, making it less expensive and easier for regional businesses to attend events in Australia will also present new opportunities to connect with and secure new customers,” added Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.

“Business events encourage domestic travel and the more events we can lock in, the more people we can get flowing through our airports, on planes and staying in hotels around the country.”