Queensland Destination Events Program in Australia

Deadline: 5-Oct-22

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

Events are eligible to receive destination event funding for up to five consecutive years. At the conclusion of the fifth year of funding, events that demonstrate strong year on year growth and alignment with the QDEP objectives will be invited to apply for significant event funding or permitted to apply for another year of destination event funding. TEQ encourages all events to utilise the QDEP pathway to ensure that the event is strongly aligned and delivers desired outcomes in line with the program objectives.

Objectives

Within the 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; and
• Enhance the profile and appeal of the host destination. 

While each of these objectives are important, it is recognised that each event is unique and therefore the relative importance of these objectives will vary between events. It is an integral part of the program to quantify and measure these outcomes against the QDEP objectives.

Categories

The two tiers of destination event funding Destination event funding comprises two categories:

• Destination event funding – single year funding for developing events seeking growth
• Significant event funding – single year or up to three years of funding for events that can demonstrate a strong track record of growth or growth potential.

Funding & Duration Information

The QDEP website details the process for events to submit an expression of interest for Significant event funding. Please note, Significant funding applications will only be accepted following invitation by TEQ. Following is a summary of the key features of each funding category:

• Destination event funding
  • Funding Period- 1 year only
  • Maximum Number of Successful Applications- Up to a maximum of 5 applications
  • Funding Amount- From $10,000 to $25,000 per year (please note,
  • funding of no more than 25% of the total event cash expense budget may be applied for)
• Significant event funding
  • Funding Period- From 1 to 3 years
  • Maximum Number of Successful Applications- No maximum number of applications
  • Funding Amount- From $25,000 to $100,000 per year (please note,
  • funding of no more than 25% of the total event cash expense budget may be applied for)

Eligible Funding

How investment can be used: 

• Marketing costs;
• Strategic plan development;
• Engagement of short-term specialised personnel; and
• Hire of temporary infrastructure.

Eligibility Criteria

• The event must be held in the same location each year
  • Please note, if an event is new to the host destination it will be considered a new event proposition, and therefore not eligible. The second staging of the event will be eligible As for destination event funding Funding Request.
• Funding of no more than 25% of the total event cash expenditure budget may be applied for. Applications for amounts over 25% of your budget will be deemed ineligible and will NOT be considered for assessment.
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate the historical size of the event in terms of:
  • Audience 
  • Spectator numbers 
  • Participant numbers, and/or 
  • Media profile
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate the capacity for the event to grow against its baseline outcomes.
• The applicant must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be either a Corporation registered with ASIC or an Incorporated Association or Queensland Government body or other body corporate. Applications from individuals will only be accepted at the absolute discretion of TEQ.
• The event must have been held at least once previously in the host destination.
• Preference will be given to applications that include evidence of confirmed cash or budget-relieving value in kind from the community, Local Council and RTO. TEQ will independently seek confirmation of this support.
• The event must be listed with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and evidence of this listing must be submitted with the application.

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?redirect=events/events-support/queensland-destination-events-program&utm_medium=email&utm_source=corporate&utm_campaign%2520=%255B2022%252F02%252F24%255D%2520EyeonQ_240222&emailHash=9d45408192dd753f0e93e8e1a40b647375ac99ceea14d1987f2a38a47cbd2407&deliveryName=DM14316