Funding Now Available for Business Events
Apply Now For Accelerate Funding Round 3
The NSW Government is offering to fund up to $60,000 per business event held in 2023 in Greater Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong and applications are now open as part of the third round of the Accelerate 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 1 January and 30 November 2023.
Applications are open to organisers of business to business (B2B) conferences, conventions, symposiums, congresses, seminars, training courses and trade exhibitions to offset venue costs (venue hire, inhouse catering and AV costs) to the organiser. Applicants can be based anywhere in the country, as long as their business event takes place over at least one full day in an eligible venue in 
Greater Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong.
NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said, “The Accelerate program has invested millions into our important business events sector, delivering economic stimulus to communities and industries which is accelerating our economic recovery.”
“We know business events contribute significantly to the wider tourism industry and this important investment will have a wide-reaching impact for years to come both socially and economically.”
BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith said, “This first come, first served funding is much-needed investment to help revive businesses and bring tourism back to our cities. Business events bring locals and visitors alike to our CBDs and support industry suppliers in accommodation, entertainment, hospitality, tourism and business events sectors.”
“Business events also play a significant role in rebuilding confidence and this funding will work towards incentivising business event organisers to contract and hold their next in-person business event. Business events have a significant role to play in driving the prosperity of cities like Newcastle, Wollongong and Sydney and we’re incredibly pleased to support local businesses to play their part.”
Applications for round three of Accelerate open on 5 September and close on 30 September 2022
The Accelerate Sydney Business Event Fund 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.
Full details of the program are available at meetinsydney.com.au/offers
• Accelerate Round 3 Program Guidelines
• Accelerate Fact Sheet
About Business Events Sydney (BESydney)
BESydney promotes Sydney as the pre-eminent Asia-Pacific business visitor destination and acquires strategic business events that deliver economic and social impact for Sydney, NSW and global communities. We are independent and not for profit, supported by the NSW Government, City of Sydney, and industry.