AIME hosts 11,000 meetings and charts future course for events sector

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) has been a remarkable success with 550 exhibitors and over 4,000 attendees responsible for organising meetings, incentives and business travel attending the event.

Held on Monday and Tuesday this week (22nd and 23rd February), more than 11,100 face-to-face meetings to take place over the two days of the show.

The event also saw industry leaders share their thoughts on the future and potential of Australia’s business events industry.

Speaking at the event, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle stated “Our expertise in delivering business events ensures a rewarding experience for delegates. In 2014/15 we hosted 203 business events secured in partnership with the City of Melbourne, bringing 72,000 delegates to the city, worth around $308 million.”

Providing an update on Business Events Australia’s work Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan outlined the dedicated activities being undertaken to showcase Australia on the world stage in partnership with the Australian business events industry.

O’Sullivan advised “in 2015, we focused our efforts on markets and sectors where our work can provide the greatest return on investment, including a stronger commitment to the associations sector, and more strategic partnerships with Australian Convention Bureaux, professional conference organisers, and the business events industry.

“And we will continue to deliver results for the industry in 2016, with dedicated activity including; the Business Events Showcase at Australia Week in China where over 60 buyers and media will meet with 29 Australian products; A strong presence at international trade shows including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America, and the Associations World Congress, and an integrated marketing, trade and PR strategy in partnership with industry, to drive awareness and conversion of business for our country.”

Monday also saw over 1,400 ticket holders entertained at the AIME Welcome Event, with a spectacle at 400 City Road presenting ‘One Year in Melbourne in One Night’.

The event was a multimedia, sensory experience, celebrating the arts, culture, food and festivals of Melbourne. Highlights included a deconstructed graffiti dessert buffet, noodles and dumplings made to order in front of guests and St Kilda themed fish ’n chips.

The show culminated with a performance from Australian opera singer Dimity Shepherd delivering a high octane performance.

However, the first day of the event was marred when 13 AIME delegates and a tour guide were involved in a bus crash.

The delegates were on their way to a showcase tour at the time of the crash.

AIME was based at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

Images: One Year in Melbourne in One Night, as performed at AIME 2016.

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