Eligibility – 2023 Funding Round

Event Funding considerations

A range of events can be considered for event funding including new, one-off, or existing events and across different event types such as business events, sport, arts, and cultural events. It is at the discretion of the Panel to make decisions on what events will be allocated funding.

Strong consideration for event funding from Thermal Explorer REF will be given to applicants that can demonstrate the following:

• events ability to drive significant inter and intra-regional visitation:
  
  • If new or one-off event, the applicant will need to highlight marketing and event strategies to support this (examples: business plan, robust feasibility study).
  • If existing event, the applicant will need to highlight how funding will be utilised to stimulate additional visitation i.e. additional event day or event component; or marketing strategies that support this objective.
• estimated economic impact to the region
• event feasibility and viability – capability of the region to host the event

Eligibility Checklist – please refer to the below:

• The event will be hosted in Waikato, Rotorua, Taupō and/or Ruapehu region(s)
• The event will not commence prior to Wednesday 1 February 2023 and will be completed no later than Tuesday 31 December 2024 (subject to the discretion of the Panel)
• The event will attract significant inter and intra-regional additional visitation to the host region and is not an event only targeting local community attendees.
• The region has the appropriate facilities to host the event (such as infrastructure, accommodation, waste management and access).
• The event will meet and comply with applicable laws, regulations, rules and professional codes of conduct or practice.
• The event has sufficient event planning documentation – business plan, event budget, marketing plan, feasibility study, Health & Safety plan, business continuity plan, waste management plan etc.
• Funding will not be used to competitively bid with other regions for the same event.
• Funding will not be used to replace existing committed funding (from Local Government or Trust Funds).

What will be funded?

The Panel will consider allocating funding to:

• support events that demonstrate how they will stimulate inter and intra-regional visitation:
  
  • New or one-off events – assisting with the costs associated with developing/securing, hosting and marketing the event.
  • Existing events – implement innovative strategies to increase visitation.

Prior to event funding being approved and allocated, there will be conditions discussed and implemented within the funding agreement around the event related costs eligible for funding.

It is preferable that events that currently receive funding through an MBIE fund do not also receive funding through the Regional Events Fund. This is to minimise duplication with MBIE-funded events, and to ensure that a wide range of events and event subsectors are supported.

What will not be funded?

Thermal Explorer REF cannot be used:

• for events that do not meet the eligibility criteria (refer to Eligibility Checklist)
• for community focused events, which do not drive out of region visitation e.g. community farmers market
• for destination marketing, as the RTO funding through the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme (STAPP) and Tourism Support, Recovery and Reset (TSRR) covers this activity. However, marketing for specific events is permitted
• for events seeking investment to underwrite an event
• for events that will significantly affect an existing event due to timing or other reason
• for events that are not sufficiently supported by an experienced event management team
• for events that are controversial in nature or are not deemed as appropriate for the host region
• for events with a primary purpose of furthering religious and/or political ideologies
• for events that have breached previous funding agreements, including post-event reporting criteria
• for applications that are incomplete or fail to meet the Regional Events Fund requirements

Please ensure you have read and meet the Eligibility criteria prior to submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). If you are unsure about your eligibility, please email ThermExREF@waikatonz.com to discuss.