Listen up, movers and shakers: applications for Round 20 of the Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP) – formerly the Regional Development Program (RDP) – are now open!
Aiming to foster regional tourism and positive economic impact, the program will act as a sort of band aid for the Queensland events industry, which has faced tough circumstances since the beginning of the pandemic.
In a bid to foster community strength across Queensland, QDEP hopes to attract more external tourism to the state, enhance the appeal of the host destinations and kickstart the social and community outcomes that comes with a thriving events industry.
The program offers two streams of funding options for regional events in the running: single year funding ($10,000 to $25,000) for events looking to grow, and significant event funding ($25,000 – $100,000 per year), which can provide up to three years of funding for events that can demonstrate viability and growth.
The funding can be used for marketing, planning, the hiring of temporary infrastructure and the employment of short-term ‘specialised personnel’.
For organisers looking to secure funding through the destination event stream, the event must take place in Queensland, with the organisers demonstrating the historical size in terms of audience, media profile and participant numbers. The viability of growth must also be demonstrated, so get your thinking caps on!
Organisers looking to snag significant event funding, you’re in for a bit of a bumpier ride. You’ll need to satisfy the above criterion, as well as prove that your event is in (at least) its third year. It’s also important that the QDEP funding would make up no more than 25 per cent of the total event cash expense budget, and that your event would prop Queensland up in the limelight and lure interstate punters! We know you’ve got this in the bag.
Since its birth in 2015, QDEP has supported 432 events with over $13 million in funding.
This round of applications opened on 7 July 2021, and will close at 5pm on 6 October 2021. Imposter syndrome kicking in? Don’t stress – Round 21 opens from November!
To find out more information or to download the application form, head here.
Photo: Markus Winkler
