Events Funding – applications now open

Organisers of major events have until the end of April to apply for grants from the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s events fund for 2015-16.

The fund is available to support new events and help existing events develop in ways that will bring more economic benefits to the district. It is distributed once a year according to the criteria in the Council’s events strategy.

QLDC Mayor Vanessa Van Uden said funding allocated from previous funding rounds had gone to assisting a wide range of vibrant events that not only brought the community together but attracted visitors from all over New Zealand and the world.

“We live in one of the most desirable visitor destinations on the planet. By supporting and growing events in this district we’ll see many economic, social and cultural benefits. These grants are a solid reinvestment into this community and we’re looking forward to this year’s applications,” she said.

The applications are evaluated with consideration given to added value to the overall event portfolio, economic benefit, media and tourism profile for the District as well as environmental initiatives and sustainability of the event.

Previous events to receive grants include Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon; The Iron Run 2015: New Zealand Rural Games; Aspiring Conversations; Merino Muster / Worldloppet; NZ Mountain Film Festival; Outspoken (Festival of Words and Storytelling); and 2015 Festival of Colour.

Funding from this round applies to events planned between July 2015 and June 2016.

Applications for amounts up to $5000 can be considered at any time during the year and the support is provided by way of “in kind” assistance with QLDC managed venues, facilities and support towards permits and consents, rather than as a cash grant.

Full information on the funding criteria and application process is on the Council’s website www.qldc.govt.nz and the Council’s event staff are available to advise prospective applicants.

Applications close on 30 April and decisions will be advised by the end of June.

ENDS

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