Nicole Walker, president of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australia (EEAA) has welcomed the launch of the new Events Saver Fund for NSW Major Events announced on Monday.

The new $43 million fund will cover major events and exhibitions over a 12-month period up to 31st December 2022 that are “cancelled or significantly disrupted” by COVID-19 public health orders. It is designed to enable event planners to make informed decisions around the support available as well as confidence to plan for events over the coming year. Only one claim can be made per eligible event according to the guidelines.

Walker welcomed the launch of the new fund advising "to launch the program with such detail is also warmly received and enables our members to make informed decisions around the support available as well as confidence to plan for exhibitions and events over the next 12 months.

"We appreciate the opportunity for the lines of communication to remain open with the NSW government for future support and for conversations with the industry to better understand the importance of Business Events, irrespective of size, and how exhibitions play a major role in the state economy."

The Events Saver Fund’s guidelines state that the financial support provided by Event Saver is intended to “contribute towards eligible unrecoverable costs incurred by organisers of affected events; it is not intended to compensate event organisers for loss of revenue or loss of profit.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding was a critical lifeline for major event organisers who have had to cancel, postpone or vary their events, providing them the financial security and certainty to plan and deliver their future events in NSW.

Premier Perrottet notes “major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state. The Event Saver Fund will ensure that organisers aren’t left high and dry as we work through this latest phase of the pandemic and sends a strong signal that the government is here to support business.”

On the ongoing challenges encountered by the Events industry, Walker added that “whilst we were all hoping that this year would bring us a positive start, it has been somewhat stifled by the ongoing and unfortunate state of affairs brought on by the Omicron outbreak.

“There is no question that we wish to remain positive, but we equally have to be realists and acknowledge that this situation is having a widespread effect on all of us. 

“We need to ensure we remain stoic in our position as an industry which very much relies on activities that are based on face to face interactions. Government mandates are influencing our ability to proceed positively, as is the attitudes and confidence of event participants.

“We have to look towards so many sporting events that have been delivered successfully and take confidence that we can learn and apply their success to business events.

“Our strategic plan for 2022 looks at how we support our members during these challenging times. Like all good plans, these will continue to be reviewed to make sure we remain effective in supporting our members prosperity.”

More information on the scheme and how to apply is now available here.

Taken from EEAA.