The Regional Flagship Events Program identifies and supports events in regional NSW that have the potential to act as a ‘cornerstone’ or flagship tourism event for their area by attracting overnight visitation and delivering long term benefits to the region.

Funding is now available for regional events held between July and December 2019, with grants open for marketing activities and also new events.

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The Flagship Event Fund offers an annual grant of $20,000 or a triennial grant of $27,500 to support marketing activities.

While the Incubator Event Fund offers grants of up to $20,000 to new events to assist with elements such as temporary infrastructure, marketing and promotions, venue hire or attendee research.

Minister for tourism and major events Adam Marshall said the two funds were an important NSW Government strategy designed to support grassroots events and kick-start local economies. 

“Since 2011, the program has provided more than $6.2 million to 180 events throughout rural and regional NSW,” he said.

“We know that when people visit regional NSW, they stay in local accommodation, buy from local shops and eat at local restaurants and cafes, helping to create more jobs and turbocharge local economies.

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“As a country minister, it’s really important to me that NSW Government support continues to reach every corner of the state’s tourism industry.”

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has encouraged event holders across the region to apply for funding before the deadline.

“These two funds are a great platform for the owners of new and emerging events in our region interested in extra support to help get their event off the ground or grow into something bigger,” he said.

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Mr Grant said the funding grants would assist in attracting more overnight visitors to the region who would help to put “more tourist dollars into the pockets of our local business people”.

Applications to round two of both funds close on Sunday, January 13, 2019

For more information or to lodge an application, visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/rfep.