Regional Events and Festivals program open

Organisers of regional and community events and festivals across South Australia are being invited to apply for State Government grants to help support and promote their program, attract more tourists and grow the visitor economy. 

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway said local arts, lifestyle and sporting events were an important part of the state’s tourism calendar and contributed significantly to the economic, social and cultural fabric of towns.
The Regional Events and Festivals Program as well as the Community Events Development Fund have opened today, offering grants that support marketing, publicity and other activities to help drive local tourism.
“South Australia’s visitor economy continues to grow, it’s now worth $6.9 billion, and we know regional and local events and festivals are integral to ensuring ongoing momentum,” said Minister Ridgway.
“Special events that offer a unique and vibrant experience can really encourage visitors to get out into our regions, or to explore new communities, which has considerable flow-on benefits and the potential to create jobs.”
South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive Rodney Harrex said hundreds of events had benefited from funding provided through the programs in recent years, such as the Handpicked Festival at Langhorne Creek, the Bay to Birdwood vehicle run and the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln.
“We want to see more activity across the State and right throughout the calendar year because when people visit our wonderful regions, they eat local, stay local and consequently contribute to job creation,” said Mr Harrex.
“Through our funding we have helped many events grow their reputation and enabled them to become bigger and more successful – and in return they help to put South Australia on the map.
“We’ve seen many events become self-sustainable, develop annual programs from one-off activations and grow their audience beyond South Australia.”
Funding secured through The Regional Events & Festivals Program (REFP) must be used for marketing and publicity to grow an individual event, while the Community Events Development Fund (CEDF) offers up to $5000 per event.
Applications close on 15 March 2019 and will support events to be held after 1 September 2019. For more information or to apply visit www.tourism.sa.gov.au