Across Australia business confidence is returning, and with it, an increasing desire to reconnect in person with teams and networks. From today, the NSW Government is providing them with up to 60,000 reasons to make it happen, with a call for applications to the second round of the Accelerate Sydney Business Events Fund. 

Accelerate is designed to stimulate the return of business events across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong and offers organisers up to $60,000 in matched funding for business events held between July 2022 and June 2023. Accelerate is part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Package announced by the NSW Government in October 2021 and is administered by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) in conjunction with Destination NSW. 

Applications are open to organisers of business to business (B2B) conferences, conventions, symposia, congresses, seminars, training courses and trade exhibitions to offset venue costs to the organiser. Applicants can be based anywhere in the country, as long as their business event will take place over at least one full day in an eligible venue in Greater Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong.

NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Tourism and Sport, and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “This round of Accelerate funding will support the battle-hardened business events and tourism sector and accelerate economic recovery as we enter the 2022-23 Financial Year.” 

“Business events make a significant contribution to the NSW economy and stimulate business activity connecting in person with new clients, reconnecting networks and opening up new markets. Now is the time for us all to invest in reconnecting with colleagues and peers, to bring people back together, back to our cities and back to the office.”  

Urging businesses to apply, BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith highlighted the role that business events play to bring life back to our cities. “Business events generate knowledge exchange and deliver invaluable in-person connections and inspiration that continue well beyond the immediate experience, the lack of which I’m sure we have all felt over the last two years.” she says. 

“Business events have a significant role to play to drive economic recovery for the prosperity of Sydney, NSW and Australia as we repair and rebuild; and we’re incredibly pleased to support businesses to play their part. No matter where you’re based in Australia, the Accelerate program provides a great incentive for you to book your next COVID Safe business meeting in Sydney and the surrounding cities.”

Applications for round two of Accelerate open on Thursday 7 April and close on Friday 29 April 2022. 

Full details of the program are available at  meetinsydney.com.au/offers