The progam means jewellery and watch suppliers participating at the IJWF will qualify for grants to cover the costs of attending the event.
BEG was created by the federal government to support the events and exhibition industry, including the tourism sector, by funding Australian businesses to participate at pre-approved events – including trade shows, conferences, and conventions – from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
The government grants also aim to ease the financial pressure on business event organisers and offer incentives for Australian business to participate as buyers or sellers at approved events.
Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director Expertise Events – which organises the IJWF – said, “This is fantastic news for the jewellery industry. It means our 30-year-old trade show will be the ultimate showcase and industry celebration. It will help kick-start suppliers and retailers to get back to the vibrant and exciting industry that it is.”
Fitz-Roy explained that BEG program will cover up to 50 per cent of exhibitors' costs, “including the stand price, stand building, equipment hire, marketing and promotional materials, networking functions, plus travel and accommodation”.
The funding is designed to support the sustainability of events in government priority areas, and to cover the cancellation costs that may occur to scheduled events due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
Grants will range from $10,000 to $250,000.
Background reading: Gold Coast Trade Days sold out
The federal government has been selective in its approach to the funding, with only existing events qualifying for the BEG program; newly-created shows are ineligible.
“Given that the Sydney jewellery fair [IJWF] is one of the oldest continuously-running events in Australia, we obviously fit the bill,” Fitz-Roy said.
However, the IJWF was not approved during the first round of applications.
“We were initially denied access to the program but we appealed the decision and, with full credit to my team for their perseverance, we were approved yesterday [February 25].
“It should be noted that Expertise Events do not receive one cent from the government through this program, nor can we influence the amount exhibitors receive by way of their grant. That said, the grants only apply to exhibitors who have booked and signed-on for the Sydney fair and they must lodge their application by the end of March.
“Not only should suppliers be attending the 2021 IJFW as part of our normal face-to-face industry celebration, this year’s event will also act as a form of healing. Therefore, for just a $400 booking fee, suppliers could have the large majority of their costs refunded under the grants program," Fitz-Roy added.
He reiterated that only booked-in exhibitors were eligible for grants and stressed that their applications should be made to the government "as early as possible to ensure consideration".
According to Fitz-Roy, there is no limit to the number of exhibitors who can apply and qualify; however, there is a strict cut-off deadline of 30 March for applications to be lodged with the Department of Industry at business.gov.au.
Expertise Events must confirm an exhibitor’s signed contract for the IJWF as part of their application for the BEG program.
Fitz-Roy said, “This is a gift that allows the industry to put its best foot forward and for us to present the biggest and best showcase in years. Importantly, it also allows the supply-side of the industry a huge leg-up to do more for retailers in what they deliver to the fair. It’s a huge win-win. ”
The fair will offer the jewellery industry its first opportunity to gather on a national level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the IJWF, Expertise Events is organising a series of state-based Trade Days in March and April; the first is scheduled for 7–8 March at the QT Hotel on the Gold Coast and will be followed by events in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
The 2021 IJWF runs from 28–30 August at Sydney's International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.
Further information:
Contact Expertise Events for details about the BEG and the IJWF
International Jewellery & Watch Fair official website
Business Events Grants program details and applications