Eligible organizations You can apply if your organization is eligible and you are hosting an event that meets all criteria. Indigenous community or organization Not-for-profit organization Business Local government What kinds of events are eligible If your event type is not listed or you have questions about eligibility, please contact us. Eligible events Sporting events, such as: spectator sport events organized races exhibition events Arts and culture events, such as: live music festivals film festivals cultural festivals art walks and mural festivals Agricultural events, such as: fairs, rodeos and exhibitions festivals held on farms, orchards or vineyards Mandatory eligibility criteria Eligible events are scheduled to take place in B.C. between June 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026 and meet the following eligibility criteria. a. Open to the public Events must be open to all members of the public Events that are only available to the organization’s members are not eligible b. Frequency limit Events occurring more than 21 days in a calendar year are not eligible for funding The 21 days do not need to be consecutive c. Financial viability While event budgets do not need to be balanced, events are required to be financially viable in order to qualify for funding Event organizers must provide a detailed budget covering all expenses and expected revenue, along with projected ticket sales, sponsorships and other income sources d. Minimum event operating budget Events must demonstrate a minimum operating budget of $150,000 Your budget should include all revenue and expenses, both eligible and ineligible. e. Secured venue The event venue must be secured at the time of application Event organizers must provide the venue name and address during the application process You may be asked to provide evidence that the event venue is secured (e.g., municipal permits, rental agreements, proof of insurance, emergency management plan or other documentation) Events in the bid phase are not eligible f. Destination event Events must demonstrate the ability to attract overnight visitors specifically for the event Events that are primarily community focused are not eligible g. Letter of support A letter of support must be provided by either a host community (i.e. municipal or regional government), First Nation government, and/or destination management organization, unless one of these is the applicant Event evaluation Your application will be used to evaluate how well your event meets the DEP objectives to generate economic and tourism benefits. Economic Impact Direct impact to local businesses/suppliers: estimated spending by event organizers, exhibitors, participants, and attendees on local goods and services Local jobs supported: estimated number of local jobs supported, and total wages paid to put on the event Tourism Benefits Visitor attendance: estimated number of attendees travelling internationally, across Canada, from outside the region and locally to attend the event Room nights: anticipated number of room-nights generated from hosting the event Seasonal impact: drives visitation during low or shoulder seasons, addressing off-peak demand Geographic distribution: attracts visitors to more regions of the province to share the benefits of tourism with everyone in B.C. Destination awareness: showcases the unique attractions and tourism offerings of B.C.’s communities Organizations must be in good standing with Tourism Branch funding programs to be eligible. For example, if in the past you failed to meet reporting requirements, misused funds, or your event did not take place without an acceptable reason, you will be considered ineligible for funding. NEW - BCeID Required Our new online application requires that applicants have a Basic BCeID. The Basic BCeID is a personal account that will give you access to the online application form to submit on behalf of your organization. Even if your organization has a Business BCeID, you must still apply for a Basic BCeID. How to create a new BCeID Using your web browser, visit Register for a Basic BCeID Fill out all information required in the form Once you complete the registration you will receive a confirmation email Do not lose your User ID and Password, you will need them to access your DEP application Once the application intake opens, the DEP webpage will have a link to apply. Clicking the link will prompt you to enter your Basic BCeID information, and then you will directed to the application form. How to apply Your completed online application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline of May 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PDT). Late applications will not be considered. Refer to the required documentation list to ensure your application package is complete. The ministry may contact your organization to verify the information provided. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as funds are limited and applications are scored competitively. All decisions are final. The online application is best suited for the following web browsers: Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Applicants using the Safari browser on Mac devices may not be able to complete the submission.