The Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP), formerly the Regional Development Program (RDP), seeks to leverage the crucial link between events and the destinations in which they are staged, extending the flow on effects of the economic, marketing and social benefits of events throughout metropolitan and regional Queensland. 

Within this context, the aims and objectives of the QDEP are as follows:

• Generate local economic activity and development in the host destination;
• Attract external visitation to the destination;
• Drive social and community outcomes for the host destination, noting the important link between community outcomes and economic benefits; and
• Enhance the profile and appeal of the host destination. 

While each of these objectives are important, it is recognised that each event is unique and therefore the relative importance of these objectives will vary between events. It is an integral part of the program to quantify and measure these outcomes against the QDEP objectives.

The QDEP offers two investment options for regional events. The information on this page refers to the Destination event investment.

• Destination event investment – single year investment for developing events seeking growth ($10,000 - $25,000 per year)
• Significant event investment – single year or up to three years of investment for events that can demonstrate a strong track record of growth or growth potential ($25,000 - $100,000 per year).

How investment can be used:

• Marketing costs;
• Strategic plan development;
• Engagement of short-term specialised personnel; and
• Hire of temporary infrastructure.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for destination event investment through QDEP, an event must meet the key objectives as stated below.  Please ensure that you are eligible prior to applying through QDEP.  

Destination event funding

• The event must take place wholly within Queensland;
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate the historical size of the event in terms of:
  • Audience;
  • Spectator numbers;
  • Participant numbers; and/or
  • Media profile.
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate the event's capacity to grow against the baseline.

• Phone: (07) 3535 3535
• Email: events@queensland.com