Bidding for Major Events
The Major Events Development Fund also makes available support funding to help with the costs of putting together bids to win or secure the hosting rights of major international events here in New Zealand.
There are many things to consider before deciding to bid for an event.
Feasibility
- Can the event actually be run in your area or even in New Zealand?
- Who is going to underwrite/ fund the event?
- Is there infrastructure that can support an event of this type - such as venues, transport, accommodation requirements?
- Are there people who have experience and capability to run a world-class event of this size?
- Has a feasibility study been done?
- International events often have strict criteria - can your event meet them? For example if the event owns all the sponsorship rights, can the local organisers sell any sponsorship rights?
- Are there any competing events happening either in the area or elsewhere in New Zealand at the same time?
Pre-bidding Planning
Where are the gaps in feasibility? Do you have the infrastructure, funding, people and time to run the event? If not, can this be changed?
- Identify key event stakeholders - national body, event organisers, potential supporters, local government.
- What is required for the bid and the event?
- Is there someone else from New Zealand bidding? Does this weaken both bids? Would a joint approach work?
Applying for Bid Funding
The process for applying for bid funding is the same as for event support funding. Please fill in the application form and ME Matrix Assessment Tool and attach a business plan which must include the following:
- feasibility study including infrastructure
- bid requirements
- event requirements
- event project plan
- event Stakeholders
Future Directions
This is a growing area of focus for the Fund. One of the major future opportunities is the development of an active programme of bidding for and winning major events to build a portfolio of events that New Zealand will host over the longer term.
In future the Fund will also cover investment in:
- seed funding for event organisers to secure sponsorship and private funding
- research, such as event and infrastructure feasibility studies
- activities that leverage off participation in offshore and onshore events
Want to know more about the funding criteria?
See examples of major events that have received funding support.
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