Funding Support for Events at Queensland Convention Centres
As part of the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s Interim Action Plan, the Queensland Government has launched a $7 million program dedicated to attracting business events to the three state-owned Convention Centres, Cairns Convention Centre, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Queensland Government Convention and Exhibition Centre Economic Recovery Bid Support Program will boost the centres’ competitiveness in securing national conferences and bring business travellers back to Queensland.
The targeted financial support is designed to encourage more businesses to opt out of their zoom calls and meet face to face in Queensland. Events can apply for financial assistance of $100 per delegate for maximum of 1,000 delegates with the opportunity for events to increase this to $120 per delegate if they do a multi-year deal.
The event eligibility criteria include:
- conferences must have a minimum of 350 delegates;
- the event must be held before 30 June 2026:
- at least 50 per cent of delegates must be from outside Queensland;
- events need to align with Queensland’s priority industry sectors; and
- the events may qualify for multi-year support.
Janet Hamilton, General Manager Cairns Convention Centre believes the funding will provide the Cairns region and Queensland and added boost post Covid.
“Tropical North Queensland Tourism has been hit hard by COVID, boosting the business travel sector in Cairns will significantly help the region’s operators and fill the hotel rooms. This funding support program from the Queensland Government along with the recently completed refurbishment and the current expansion of the Cairns Convention Centre provides events the perfect opportunity to come to Cairns” added Hamilton.
Event organisers can find further information about the program by contacting Wayne Smith at the Cairns Convention Centre wsmith@cairnsconvention.com.au or visit the Cairns Convention Centre website.
Cairns Convention Centre are a PCOA Business Partner.