Tallinn
November 17, 2009
Conference Support Scheme to Begin December 21
Managers of a bold, new government support scheme that can cover up to 70 percent of conference costs will begin accepting funding applications on December 21.
Under the programme, which is administered by Enterprise Estonia, organisers of large, international conferences in Estonia can have between 300,000 and 1 million EEK (€19,000 to €64,000) of their event costs reimbursed provided they meet certain criteria.
The events have to be of an international nature, help raise Estonia's profile as a travel destination, be at least three days in length, include a minimum of 300 overnight stays, and involve a local or regional sightseeing element. Only not-for-profit events are eligible for the scheme.
The aim of the programme is to promote Estonia as a conference destination and increase the number of overnight stays.
According to Tarmo Mutso, Director of Estonian Tourist Board, the more professionally organised events and conventions are, the more attractive they are, and that spells increased attendance, higher occupancy in hotels and an overall positive influence on the local economies.
Funds from the program can be used to cover a full spectrum of conference-related expenses from organisation and marketing costs to printed materials.
The deadline for this round of applications is January 4, 2010. More rounds will follow next year.
The programme is financed by the European Regional Development Fund. It will last through 2011 and carries a total budget of 23 million EEK, 10 million of which will be distributed in this first application round.
For more information and instructions on how to apply, contact Riine Tiigi at the Estonian Convention Bureau.
This release was prepared by the Estonian Convention Bureau, a non-profit organisation established jointly by public and private sector bodies in order to attract international conventions to Estonia. The ECB's 26 members include the cities of Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu, the national carrier Estonian Air, and a number of DMCs, PCOs and hotels. For further details, contact:
Riine Tiigi, Managing Director
Tel: +372 645 0029
riine.tiigi@ecb.ee
