Govt extends PacPrint 50% discount to small players

The federal government has extended its 50 per cent cost rebate to smaller companies exhibiting at PacPrint, and all other expos, cutting the threshold before the rebate kicks in to just $10,000.

 

The Business Events Grants are being extended as part of the post-Covid revovery package, with prime minister Scott Morrison saying the move "will help restart Australia’s business events sector.”

The new exhibition spend threshold is a cut in half of the previous limit of $20,000. The time to apply has also been extended, with grant applications now be open until 30 June. They were due to close off at the end of this month. It is a grant not an entitlement though, so exhibitors are strongly advised to claim as early as possible.

Peter Harper, CEO of suppliers organisaiton Visual Connections, which co-hosts the show with PVCA described the latest initiative as “great news”, saying, "particularly for those suppliers who book smaller, 3m x 3m shell scheme stands, and bring such diversity and interest to expo."

He said, “So if you book a booth or space at PacPrint, Visual Impact or Label & Packaging Expo, you can get a 50 per cent Cash Back if you spend $10,000 or more.”

The 50 per cent rebate covers all costs associated with PacPrint, except staff salaries. The rebate applies to the shell scheme, the design and build of a stand, stand furniture and lighting, freight, staff accommodation, staff flights, and including marketing and sponsorship costs.

Harper said., "“The application process is not particularly onerous and it’s basically free cash to build your business. Competition for the grants will be stiff, however, with many shows qualifying and literally hundreds, if not thousands, of eligible businesses expected to apply, so there’s no time to waste in submitting an application.”

PacPrint is set to run from 28 September to 1 October at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. It will likely be the first physical print show to be held anywhere in the world since the advent of Covid, with the Australian and New Zealand populations set to be largely vaccinated by then.