Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 2

This fund provides a structured financial support system designed to enhance international business tourism projects in Quebec, encouraging both scope and sustainability. It outlines diverse funding mechanisms shaped by the specific needs and contributions expected from the applicants.

• The financial assistance is non-repayable and provided as a grant.
• A minimum investment or contribution from the applicant and their partners must meet specified percentages of the total project costs.
• The cumulation of financial aid from various government levels is restricted to a maximum percentage of the project's total costs, depending on eligibility.
• The maximum rate of aid from FSTAI for eligible costs can reach up to 100%.
• The maximum financial support allocated per project is $50,000, with a total cap of $200,000 per applicant across Streams 1 and 2.
• Financial support will not increase to cover any cost overruns for approved projects.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the type of organization and its legal and operational status in Quebec.

• The applicant must be a for-profit or non-profit organization, cooperative, municipal entity, or a recognized Aboriginal community, organization, or nation by the National Assembly.
• The entity must be active in the event sector, being either an organizing entity, promotion specialist, or destination management organization.
• The organization must be legally constituted in Quebec.
• Applicants specializing in research or associated with a research and education institution will have distinct financial assistance modalities.
• Entities such as event supplier companies, event agencies, government ministries, state-controlled companies, bankrupt or insolvent companies, companies on the public contract ineligible registry, defaulters of previous financial aids, and political parties are not eligible.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Fonds pour stimuler le tourisme d’affaires international (FSTAI) include the following entities:- For-profit organizations (OBL)- Non-profit organizations (OBNL)- Cooperatives- Municipal entities- Indigenous communities, organizations, and nations recognized by the National AssemblyAdditionally, the applicant must be an active entity in the event sector, such as an organizing entity, an entity specialized in event promotion, or a destination management organization. The organization must be legally constituted in Quebec either as a company or another legal type entity.Entities not eligible for this grant are:- Supplier companies and event agencies- Quebec or Canadian government ministries and organizations- Companies directly or indirectly controlled by a provincial or federal government- Companies primarily owned by a state enterprise- Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act- Companies listed in the register of businesses ineligible for public contracts (RENA)- Companies that have failed to meet obligations or have been issued a formal notice related to the granting of previous financial assistance within the last two years- Political parties

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and entities due to their status or main activity. The restrictions ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.

• Event suppliers and event agencies.
• Ministries and organizations of the Government of Quebec or Canada.
• Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a government (provincial or federal).
• Companies majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
• Businesses under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
• Companies registered in the Register of enterprises ineligible for government contracts (RENA).
• Companies that, in the two years preceding the financial aid request, failed to meet their obligations or were duly put on notice regarding previous financial aid grants.
• Political parties.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly linked to promotional and logistical efforts to attract international business events to Quebec.

• Transportation, accommodation, meals, and incidentals for travel abroad by the applying entity.
• Travel expenses within Quebec for potential clients covered by the applying entity.
• Registration fees for events, as determined eligible based on the application form.
• Fees for pre-approved external specialists needed for event marketing efforts.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for organizations legally constituted and operating in the province of Quebec. Eligible companies are specifically those that can demonstrate their active engagement in the event sector within this region.

• Businesses legally constituted in Quebec.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant focus on assessing their alignment with the program's objectives and potential impact on the tourism industry in Quebec.

• Eligibility of the applicant and project.
• Quality of the application submitted.
• Realism of the proposed budget.
• Potential positive impacts and outcomes of the project.
• Scope and potential reach and visibility of the event.
• Potential for the event to be held recurrently.
• Compatibility with the destination's hosting capabilities.
• Contribution to the promotion of Quebec's sectors of excellence, innovation zones, industrial clusters, or high-potential tourist segments such as nature tourism, Indigenous tourism, winter tourism, gourmet and agritourism, and luxury tourism.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The financial assistance is a non-repayable grant.
• Requests can be submitted continuously at Tourisme Laval with specific deadlines.
• Requests can also be submitted between project call dates if circumstances demand it.
• A financial aid agreement must be signed between the beneficiary entity and Tourisme Laval for selected projects.
• The maximum aid provided per project is $50,000, with a cumulative maximum of $200,000 per applicant for all projects under Sections 1 and 2.
• Assistance cannot be increased for cost overruns of approved projects.