Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1
Overview
The Fonds pour stimuler le tourisme d’affaires international (FSTAI) Volet 1 offers non-repayable grants to enhance international business tourism in Québec by supporting the creation of business plans and bid books. Eligible activities include organizing international-scale congresses, corporate meetings, and trade shows, with a maximum funding of $50,000 per project and $200,000 per applicant.
At a glance
Funding available
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Selling in a new market
- Marketing a product
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Closing date : November 1, 2024
Eligible candidates
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Quebec
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Indigenous Peoples
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- International Activities
- Business Associations
- Indigenous peoples
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
- All structures
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- International
Activities funded
The Fund to stimulate international business tourism in Quebec supports the planning and preparation of international-scale business events to enhance the region's economic vitality. It finances the creation and development of bid books or business plans for eligible events.
- Organization of international congresses held in Quebec.
- Planning and hosting of major business meetings with international participation.
- Execution of commercial exhibitions that attract international attendees and exhibitors.
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and operations within the event sector in Quebec.
- The applicant must be one of the following: a for-profit organization (OBL), a non-profit organization (OBNL), a cooperative, a municipal entity, or an Indigenous community, organization, or nation recognized by the National Assembly.
- Applicants must be engaged in the event sector as an organizing entity, a specialized event promotion entity, or a destination management organization.
- Applicants must be a legally constituted company or entity in Quebec.
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants for the Fonds pour stimuler le tourisme d’affaires international (FSTAI) include for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, and Indigenous communities, organizations, and nations recognized by the National Assembly. Applicants must be active in the event sector, such as organizing or promoting events or managing destinations. They must also be legally constituted entities in Quebec. Specialized research applicants associated with research and education institutions will receive different financial support conditions. Ineligible applicants include suppliers and event agencies, government ministries and entities, government-controlled companies, state-owned enterprises, companies under bankruptcy protection, companies on the ineligibility registry for public contracts (RENA), companies that have defaulted on previous financial assistance obligations, and political parties.
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and entities based on their status and main activities. Restrictions are in place to ensure the funds support entities driving international business tourism events in Quebec.
- Event supplier companies and event agencies.
- Ministries and agencies of the Government of Quebec or Canada.
- Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a provincial or federal government.
- Companies majority-owned by a state-owned enterprise.
- Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Companies listed in the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
- Companies that have failed to meet obligations or have been legally notified in relation to prior financial aid during the two years before this grant application.
- Political parties.
Eligible expenses
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the preparation of business plans or bid books for international business tourism events.
- Fees for external firms including consultation, writing, translation, editing, photo research, graphic design and layout, document research, legal or accounting services, and other pre-approved fees.
- Printing costs for documents.
- Shipping expenses.
- Submission fees.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is aimed at entities legally constituted and operating in Quebec, emphasizing regional economic and tourism development.
- Organizations must be active and legally registered in the province of Quebec.
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Eligibility.
- Quality of the application.
- Realism of the budget.
- Potential impacts.
- Scope and potential reach.
- Potential for recurrence.
- Alignment with the capacity of the host destination.
- Valorization of Quebec's areas of excellence, innovation zones, industrial clusters, or high-potential tourism sectors.
How to apply
Become acquainted with the applicant's guide
Preparation of documents
- Fill out and sign the financial aid application form.
- Prepare the submitted applications or confirmations of commitments from other governments.
Submission of the application
- Send the request by email to fstai@tourismelaval.com.
- Requests can be submitted on an ongoing basis, but project calls end on the specific dates mentioned.
Additional information
The following additional details may be relevant for applicants:
- The maximum financial assistance per applicant for all projects under components 1 and 2 combined is $200,000.
- The grant is provided as a non-repayable subsidy.
- Applicants must ensure that their own and their partners' contributions do not come from sources considered under the cumulative government aid calculation, asset transfers, or contributions in goods and services.
- The maximum cumulative aid from all government sources, including FSTAI, must adhere to the specified percentage limits based on total project costs.
- The financial support amount may vary based on the availability of financial resources and the number of eligible applications.
- A project cannot receive increased financial support to cover any cost overruns for approved projects.
