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International Delegate Growth

Supporting the creation and growth of business events in Britain, with the aim of increasing international attendance and visitor spend whilst encouraging greater international trade, inward investment and wider impact potential.

International Delegate Growth

Applications for this financial year are CLOSED, as all funding for 2024/2025 has been allocated.

Financial support of up to the value of £20,000 is available for business events being held in Britain, supporting conferences, congresses, exhibitions and tradeshows.

Exceptional proposals requiring more than the stated amount per event can be considered on a case-by-case basis, however they would need to provide a strong business case.

Funds can be used to support the following activities:

  • Content creation to increase interest and awareness in your event
  • Communications and digital activity, including support towards website, film, webinar, e-newsletters
  • International delegate marketing campaign through digital or trade media channels
  • PR activity that secures editorial coverage or international media buy
  • Activations in markets to drive conversion or attract more delegates to your business event
  • Targeted international delegate acquisition
  • Booth enhancements

Please note: This strand of the programme can support events taking place in future financial years; however, all expenditures have to be annualised in the relevant financial year in which they are allocated. 

Who can apply

We welcome applications from various types of organisations, including but not limited to professional congress organisers, convention bureau/ destination management organisations, universities, associations, trade show and B2B organisers.
If you are delivering the event in partnership, please make this clear in your application. 

We encourage all applications to work in partnership with the relevant city convention bureau.

Please note: all applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the International Delegate Growth guidelines (PDF, 1 MB). If an applicant does not fulfil the mandatory eligibility criteria, the application will not be accepted. Applications will be considered by an appointed panel of industry experts. Applicants will be contacted if additional information is required.

How to apply

  1. Read carefully the application guidelines (PDF, 1 MB), paying attention to the fund’s objectives and eligibility criteria. If you need clarification do not hesitate to get in touch.
  2. If you fulfil the mandatory eligibility criteria, please complete the IDG Application Form (PDF, 826.14 KB) alongside the following supporting documentation:
    1. Annex B: Subsidy control declaration form (DOCX, 41.71 KB) 
    2. BTA New Supplier request form (DOCX, 43.22 KB) – only applicable if your organisation has not received direct grant payments from VisitBritain before. 
  3. Submit the application and the supporting documentation to [email protected] with the following reference in the subject line (Bid/Event name) 

Be aware that submitting a request for support, regardless of whether the criteria is satisfied, does not ensure that the support will be made available under this or any other initiative.
There is no guarantee that all events or activity will be deemed appropriate or offered grant funding. VisitBritain, at its discretion, will determine where, when and how support will be offered and provided.

Please note: It can take up to six weeks from when the application is received to receive a Grant Funding Agreement.

International Delegate Growth roadmap

  1. Make your application for the International Delegate Growth fund.
  2. Applications will be considered by a panel of industry experts.
  3. Successful applicants will be contacted after the panel decision.

Note: The assessment is a two-way process, and it can take up to six weeks from application to receive a Grant Funding Agreement. Please consider this when planning your activity.
 

VisitBritain

Business Events Growth Programme infographic

How funding helped Leeds boost delegate numbers by a third

Getty Images/EyeEm

Looking up at Leeds Town Hall and The Observation Wheel at Dusk

Attracting key influencers and decision makers within investment and real estate, the Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) launched in Leeds in May 2022. The International Delegate Growth fund was successfully put to work supporting bespoke campaigns to attract global delegates, unlocking sustainable and more inclusive investment opportunities in the UK real estate markets. 

From the initial target of 3,000 delegates, the event attracted more than 4,000 delegates – an increase of 33% – with an estimated incremental spend of £613,000. In addition to facilitating new relationships to drive economic growth through development and regeneration, the event actively encouraged a diverse attendance from underrepresented groups. It also accelerated meaningful progress on key themes, such as the UK’s Net Zero target, building better communities and delivering inclusive growth. The event will return in 2023, this time even bigger, with a target of 10,000 delegates.

 

Useful contacts

Events Support

Contact the team

Discover more

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Blenheim Palace

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VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

The arena at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo during a performance of the military event, parade ground and packed spectator seating. A light show projecting onto the castle walls. Marching band with a leading conductor, and massed pipers playing the bagpipes. Fireworks exploding in the night sky.

Widen your network, sharpen your skills and access new markets with our events and training.

Getty Images/Caia Image

A diverse group of people is networking during a conference break while drinking coffee and eating sandwiches and cake. The focus of the image is on a group of three, two woman standing and one man sitting in a wheelchair, talking to each other in front of people standing at a buffet in the background.