AIME 2019 looks to increase international buyer attendance

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced its plans to bringing more quality international buyers to the event, with 60% of attendees for the 2019 event originating outside of Australia.

In a first, all expressions of interest will initially undergo a rigorous and thorough vetting process from the AIME Hosted Buyer Manager to check preliminary suitability.

Four months before the industry event (which runs from 18th to 20th February), AIME 2019 has already confirmed over 200 quality buyers from across 32 different countries, with 42% having never attended AIME before.

To qualify, all buyers must provide examples of budgets they manage, past events they have organised and details of scheduled events that will take place in the next five years. Additionally, they must pass up to four compulsory industry reference checks.

Matt Pearce, Chief Executive of AIME organiser Talk2 Media & Events, explains “through rigorous curation, we are committed to bringing buyers and exhibitors from across the whole Asia Pacific so that AIME is reflective of the diversity and depth of the region.

“It’s about the right people, selling or buying, being on the show floor ready to do business.”

Brooke Cowdroy, Manager, Account Operations Asia-PAC at Experient, Microsoft added “the new buyer vetting process was seamless while also being highly personalised.

“It was great to have AIME’s Hosted Buyer Manager contact me directly to advise that I had been successfully selected for the program. I’m looking forward to seeing what AIME 2019 has to offer and how it can help drive more business outcomes.”

The new vetting process also has added flexibility, allowing buyers to attend AIME 2019 in two ways; as either a Hosted Buyer or as a Pre-Registered Trade Buyer, both providing a clear and measurable return on investment.

The Hosted Buyer Program includes a fully curated experience, return flights and 4–5-star accommodation, carefully located close to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hosted attendees will be required to commit to 32 pre-scheduled appointments (PSAs) and attend all formal networking events, as well as Melbourne Convention Bureaus’ Uncover Melbourne Program.

In addition, for a moderate fee, Pre-Registered Trade Buyers have the option to select the number of

PSAs they wish to make, attend all the networking events, and have the flexibility to attend one, two or three days at AIME 2019.

AIME will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18th to 20th February 2019.

​Click here for details of the next AIME in the Australasian Leisure Management Industry Calendar.