Minister for Tourism and Major Events and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall speaking at the recent Local Government NSW Water Conference, held in Armidale, which attracted support from the Regional Business Event Development Fund.
Thursday, 15 November 2018
MINISTER for Tourism and Major Events and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today opened a $500,000 Regional Business Event Development Fund to attract and create more business events in rural and regional NSW.
Mr Marshall said staging business events was a great way to showcase the region’s conferencing facilities and array of tourism offerings while encouraging overnight visitation and spending in local businesses.
Since the inception of the inaugural NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy in August last year, Mr Marshall said the NSW Government had invested around $1 million, securing more than new 60 business events for rural and regional NSW.
This included the recent Local Government NSW Water Conference, held in Armidale over three days.
“The business events sector presents a significant growth opportunity for our region, with conferences and meetings bringing additional business to our local restaurants, cafés, venues, attractions, and accommodation providers,” he said.
“The additional $500,000 from the government is available to conference planners, towns and regions that want to create their own new conferences or attract and retain existing business events.”
Mr Marshall said the Regional Business Event Development Fund would drive more overnight visitors to rural and regional NSW.
“I’ve opened the fund to drive even more business event visitors into rural and regional NSW, turbocharging local economies and creating jobs,” Mr Marshall said.
“The investment in this sector is so important because we know that overnight business visitors spend, on average, $237 per night in NSW – nearly double those of overnight leisure visitors. They are also more likely to return for a future holiday with family or friends.
“From the bush to the coast, I want everyone to know that regional NSW offers delegates both a great opportunity to do business, and the chance to explore our fantastic tourism offerings.
“I encourage conference planners to apply now for this terrific funding opportunity.”
For more information on the NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund, go to www.meetinnsw.com.au/business-event-development-fund