Rural and regional NSW get funding to woo business events

The New South Wales (NSW) government has launched a A$6 million (US$4.8 million) NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy & Action Plan, aimed at driving more conventions, meetings and business events into the rural and regional areas.

The NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy & Action Plan includes 11 strategic imperatives and 64 actions. Already in place are the establishment of a regional conferencing unit within Destination NSW which works closely with industry and the destination networks to build capacity and increase the number of business events held in regional NSW; the launch of the Meet in Regional NSW website to showcase the array of business event venues and destinations in the region; the development of a toolkit which offers the tools and tips of the trade for regional business event suppliers; and the launch of a pilot NSW regional conferencing development grants programme to provide investment on a matched-dollar-for-dollar basis to attract more conventions, meetings and business events in rural and regional NSW.


John Barilaro: strategy to increase conference industry contribution

An initial investment of A$500,000 has been allocated to this pilot programme.

Deputy premier John Barilaro, minister for tourism, pointed out that the conference industry contributes A$145 million to regional NSW each year.

He added: “Through this strategy, we want to increase that contribution by bringing more conferences and visitors to regional NSW, and in turn boost local economies and create more jobs in our regional communities.”

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