Happy New Year, and an even happier anniversary to the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA)! It is inspiring to see how the visitor economy sector has flourished in just five years since the Agency’s inception in January 2021. From exciting new tourism products to record-breaking hotel occupancy rates, AEDA remains firmly committed to making Adelaide’s visitor economy truly best in class.
Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be another exciting year. The new Visitor Experience Centre is progressing well and, with completion due later this year, is taking shape as something special that we can’t wait to share. Alongside this, our focus remains on attracting investment, supporting the development of new and existing tourism experiences, and delivering strong visitor welcoming initiatives around major events, cruise arrivals and conferences - including the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), in May.
These initiatives will take place alongside our business-as-usual operations, where we will continue to bring you new opportunities to collaborate and promote your business.
We look forward to working closely with our key stakeholders and delivering an outstanding year ahead. As always, please feel free to reach out to our team for support.
Turn Good Ideas into Great Ideas Thanks to SATC Program
Expressions of interest are now open for the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC)’s Experience Development Program. The initiative aims to develop great tourism ideas into inclusive, sustainable experiences that showcase the very best of South Australia. Up to 20 operators will participate in the first 2026 intake, with training sessions scheduled to take place in Adelaide from March to April. Further intakes are planned for later in the year.
Since its beginnings in 2021, AEDA has delivered bold campaigns, major events and impactful insights that have supported billions of dollars of expenditure and thousands of connections with local, national and international businesses. Thank you for placing trust in the AEDA team to help shape an even stronger, vibrant Adelaide.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Rundle Mall, the largest pedestrian mall in the southern hemisphere. AEDA is inviting locals, visitors and tourists alike to share their own Rundle Mall stories as part of its celebrations. The stories aim to show how the Mall is built on iconic moments, memories and the people who made them.
Organisations that run arts programs, projects or provide services to artists can apply for grants of up to $100,000 to support national and international initiatives. Applications for the grants, which start at $20,000, can be put towards a single or suite of projects, or an annual program of activity.
Make the most of the 2026 Gather Round by offering an associated event in the Festival of Footy program. Whether it is a themed event, a special deal, or a unique activation, take advantage of this opportunity to drive extra traffic in the city from interstate and regional visitors. Submissions are free of charge.
SATC will host its first Industry Webinar of 2026 on 17 February at 10:00 am, sharing the latest updates on the tourism industry, featuring SATC’s Executive Team. Ask questions in real time and stay informed about what is happening across the sector.
Expressions of interest are now open for the state government’s Live Music Events Fund grants. The government has committed up to $550,000 per year to support music events and festivals and is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 financial year.
