Queensland Destination Events Program (Australia)

Deadline: 1-Feb-23

The Queensland Destination Events Program is now open for applications.

The Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP), formerly the Regional Development Program, seeks to leverage the crucial link between events and the destinations in which they are staged, extending the flow of the economic, marketing and social benefits of events throughout metropolitan and regional Queensland.

The program was updated in 2015 to better reflect the importance of destination events and to streamline the aplication, allocation, remittance and acquittal processes related to the program. The program continues to operate in close collaboration with Local Councils and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs).

Aims and Objectives

• QDEP is an important element of the tourism and economic development strategy for Queensland, particularly regional Queensland.
• Events are a crucial part of that strategy, representing a cost-effective way of promoting a region and its attractions. Moreover, as an event grows, it attracts tourists in its own right.
• The positive economic impact and interest in a community that a successful event can provide not only helps to build a sense of local pride, but can also foster confidence and strengthen the community as a whole.
• Events are also valuable in terms of local development and involvement. This is particularly relevant for recurring events which can demonstrate ongoing benefit to the community and provide long-term growth and development opportunities.
• Within that context, the aims and objectives of the QDEP are as follows:
  • Generate local economic activity and development in the host destination
  • Attract external visitation to the destination
  • Drive social and community outcomes for the host destination, noting the important link between community outcomes and economic benefits
  • Enhance the profile and appeal of the host destination

The role of destination events in the overall TEQ Events Strategy

• The TEQ Events Strategy 2025, published in 2017, provides the strategic framework to create a sustainable events portfolio that ensures government investment is prioritised, events are integrated into existing marketing initiatives, required economic and social outcomes are met and events continue to drive growth to achieve overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) targets.
• The Events Strategy identifies three categories of tourism events:
  • Major events
  • Business events
  • Destination events
• The Queensland Destination Events Program exists to provide funding support to those events that qualify as destination events.

Funding Information

• The tiers of funding support a clear growth pathway for destination events:
  • Destination event funding – for amounts between $10,000 and $25,000
    • Duration: 1 year only
    • Up to a maximum of 5 applications
  • Significant event funding – for amounts between $25,000 and $100,000 per year.
    • Duration: From 1 to 3 years
    • No maximum number of applications

Eligibility Criteria

• Your Application has Support from:
  • Local Council
  • RTO
• Apply for Destination Event Funding if:
  • General assistance to enhance the professional presentation of your event to enable growth
  • A simple online form that provides general detail about the event history, governance, performance and aspirations
  • You can demonstrate that:
    • Your event is in (at a minimum) its second year
    • If you have received funding previously from this program (including the former Regional Development Program) you have provided a satisfactory outcomes report
  • Working with your RTO to:
    • Ensure risks are minimised
    • Ensure all opportunities for leveraging are identified
• Apply for Significant Event Funding if:
  • Growth in all aspects of the event, in particular visitor numbers
  • A detailed submission, including a business case for larger sums, demonstrating how the funding will enable growth to be achieved.
  • You can demonstrate that:
    • Your event is in (at a minimum) its third year
    • If you have received funding previously you have provided a satisfactory outcomes report
  • Working with TEQ and your RTO through a structured schedule of meetings to:
    • Monitor progress
    • Ensure risks are minimised
    • Ensure all opportunities for leveraging are identified
• Is my event eligible?
  • Yes my event is being held in the same Queensland destination (it has not moved locations)
  • Yes my event is in at least its second year
  • Yes my current event has been held prior to completing this application
  • Yes my event dates fit within the eligible event dates for this funding round
  • Yes I am seeking QDEP funding to boost existing activity to further drive tourism outcomes.

For more information, visit Tourism & Events Queensland.

For more information, visit https://teq.queensland.com/au/en/industry/what-we-do/queensland-events/queensland-events-funding/destination-event-funding