Exhibitors and delegates attending APP2021 on the Gold Coast this year and who spend a minimum of $20,000, will be eligible for a 50 per cent rebate through Austrade’s $50 million Business Events Grants program to support the post-COVID economic recovery of the business events sector.
Announcing the successful application for access to the funding, APP Convenor and former Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Kos Sclavos urged attendees to review their costs and complete the online submission form to receive refunds.
“This is a great initiative by the Federal Government to encourage more delegates and exhibitors to attend conferences in 2021,” he said.
“As the funding comes from a national pool and it’s a first-in, best-dressed scenario, we encourage anyone interested in accessing this grant to do so now so they don’t miss out.”
Mr Sclavos noted that APP, which will run from May 20-23 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be operated as a COVID safe event, which will be submitted to the Queensland Government Public Health Unit for approval.
“APP2021 has a comprehensive COVID Safe Event Plan developed to keep attendees safe. Attendee safety is our number-one priority and the detailed COVID-19 Safe Plan considers several contingency scenarios that may occur in this ever-changing world,” Mr SClavos said.
“We are continually keeping abreast of all state and territory border restrictions and have a number of contingencies in place considering circumstances that may arise. As 2020 demonstrated, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is nimble at adapting to changing conditions.
“The Pharmacy Guild of Australia continues to work closely with the Queensland Government Public Health Unit and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre to mitigate any potential COVID-19 risks for APP2021.
“We want to ensure that the pharmacy industry can reconnect with care at APP2021 in May and look forward to seeing everyone there.”
To date APP and the Guild’s 2021 Tasmanian Pharmacy Conference, which is scheduled to take place on February 20-21 in Hobart, have been the only pharmacy events listed on the initial schedule of 102 approved business events for grant eligibility.
APP is Australia’s largest pharmacy conference and trade show which offers attendees a four-day educational program, social activities and a trade exhibition showcasing the latest products, services and industry information.
Exhibitors and delegates wishing to apply for the grant can view the eligibility criteria here.
