More funds for Regional Victoria to attract business events

AUSTRALIA'S Victorian State Government has announced a A$1 million (US$870,776) funding to attract more conferences and delegates to Regional Victoria over a four-year period.

This comes just after the state was given A$150,000 by the Australian Federal Government for delegate-boosting initiatives and destination promotions to the business event market.

Although it was not clear at press time how the additional funds would be used, Business Events Victoria chairperson Andrew Hiebl told TTG Asia e-Daily that the funds and "new spotlight on Regional Victoria are welcomed" by the organisation, which operates as a collective group of conference venues, hotels, tour operators, local councils, regional tourism organisations and service providers targeting business events market.

Hiebl said a current campaign has allowed Victoria's 10 regions to apply for grants to develop tools that benefit event planners. For instance, Great Ocean Road used the funds to develop two personalised viral campaigns that organisers can use to entice delegates to business events in Geelong and the Surf Coast regions.

"Business Events Victoria would envisage that any future funding would be used to continue the great work that has been achieved to date and further promote Regional Victoria to the business events sector."

(Karen Yue, Singapore, TTGAsia)