NI Overseas Event Animation Programme 2025

This programme aims to support the attendance of small and unique Northern Ireland based tourism partners at Tourism Ireland led overseas events in 2025.

The initiative is designed to give small tourism businesses the opportunity to explore overseas markets, potentially for the first time, without the requirement for pre-arranged appointments. They will add value in terms of animation, dynamism and vibrancy at key Tourism Ireland overseas events.

Please note that these event animation participants must be tourism businesses with a sellable product – e.g., funds must not be used to bring a musician to an event, unless they are part of a music trail, Irish night etc.

These animation industry partners will not take appointments and will be additional to those industry that have been selected via the Tourism NI usual recruitment channels.

Suitable for:

• Food and Drink Experiences
• Cookery Demonstrations
• Entertainment
• Music
• Demonstrations from Visitor Attractions/ Experiences
• Storytellers from Visitor Attractions/ Experiences
• Craft Demonstrations

Recruitment:

Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI will recruit the most appropriate event animation partners based on factors such as: 

• Region (event animation partners should, where possible, be chosen from regions which are twinned with markets)
• Suitability of event animation product/service for the market event
• Language capabilities
• The ability to enhance an event/ show through engagement with overseas buyers

Dates:

The application period for the NI Overseas Event Animation Programme 2025 is open initially from Tuesday 18th March 2025 to Wednesday 30th April 2025.  This is a rolling programme and Expressions of Interest will be accepted on a first come first served basis.  The application window may be extended subject to available places and funding.

Terms and Conditions:

• This programme is not open to Destination Management Organisations, Local Authorities, or other publicly funded agencies/authorities
• Publicly funded businesses are not eligible for support through this programme
• Funding is available to one industry partner per business and is subject to budget availability
• Additional company reps will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Any further/additional nights will be incurred at the expense of the industry member and are not covered under this scheme 
• Daily expenses and per diem rates are not an eligible cost in the Industry Animation Programme
• The TI market rep will organise travel and accommodation for the event animation partner

Eligible Costs:

• International travel costs including flights/ ferries (basic economy fare only)
• Domestic/internal flights (basic economy fare only) that are required for attendance at Tourism Ireland-led events in-market e.g., Sales Missions, Workshops, etc.
• Claims for substantial bus/train travel taken outside of the island of Ireland in place of flights may be eligible and will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Luggage Costs.  Additional luggage requirements for supplies/instruments may be covered subject to discussion and approval by Tourism Ireland
• Accommodation incurred for the purpose of attending the show/ event. The number of nights may include one night prior to the official start date of the event, all nights required during the event and include the final night of the event, subject to requirement
• Participation fees and cost of entry to the show/ event will be covered by Tourism Ireland.

For full details about this fund and to submit your Expression of Interest, please click here. From this link, please sign into your Tourism NI account to complete  your Expression of Interest or if you haven't already created a Tourism NI account find out more here.

For any queries regarding the NI Overseas Event Animation Programme 2025 please contact Matt Lynch and Audrey O’Connor at elevationandanimation@tourismireland.com

The Business Solutions team offer support to access a range of overseas opportunities, for further details on current and forthcoming opportunities go to International MICE & Travel Trade Calendar.