BE PERTH EXTENSION

BUSINESS Events Perth yesterday announced a six-month extension of its Event Here Now Fund, which offers sponsorship of up to $15 per delegate, up to a maximum of $10,000, for new in-person events in WA.

Business Events Perth CEO Gareth Martin said the extension followed “overwhelmingly positive” feedback on the initiative since its launch almost 12 months ago.

“The purpose of this initiative was to support the recovery of the Western Australian business events industry, after major disruption to the sector caused by the global pandemic,” he said.

Martin said so far more than 200 state-based events had been supported through the program, bringing together over 100,000 delegates in total.

“Clients have told us that without this sponsorship their events would not have been able to proceed with certainty, if at all, so we are thrilled to have made a difference,” he said.

The extension comes amid further lockdowns and border closures, although local venue capacity restrictions have started to lift within WA.

A wide range of activities are eligible for support under the scheme, including conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, workshops, seminars, corporate meetings and incentive group events with a business event program.

WA Tourism Minister David Templeman noted that the funding had supported the local industry and the “long supply chain of jobs associated with business events”.

“We all love to meet in person, and it is encouraging that Western Australians have returned to business events with enthusiasm,” he said.

Event Here Now sponsorship is valid only for new business event bookings to be held in WA prior to 31 Dec 2021, with total support dependent on event duration and the number of delegates attending - for more details call 08 9218 2900.