Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Today, the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) revealed that its 2024 edition is set to be the largest in ten years. Scheduled for February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia, the event is expected to attract over 600 international buyers, 3,500 visitor buyers, and 570 exhibitors from a wide range of sectors within the business events industry.
This represents a remarkable 63% increase in the number of exhibitors compared to AIME 2023, further cementing AIME’s status as the premier event for the international business events community in the region.
For the first time since the COVID pandemic, international destinations participating in AIME include Fiji, Korea, Macau, the USA, Canada, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India, the Maldives, Italy, Malta, Norway, Monaco, and the UK/Ireland. They will join countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Africa, all returning to the AIME show floor.
In total, representatives from 33 countries will attend AIME in 2024.
AIME Event Director Silke Calder comments on the event’s exceptional growth, emphasizing its status as a premier event on the global business events calendar. Following the incredible 30th anniversary of AIME in 2023, they are returning this year even bigger and better. They are excited to welcome the business events community back to Melbourne and are thrilled with the fantastic support from international destinations and Australia’s convention bureaus—every Australian state will be represented at AIME next month.
They are expecting over 600 hosted buyers at AIME 2024, a significant increase of 51% from 2023, with attendees from Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia, North Asia, India, the USA, Canada, Europe, and the UK. This sets the stage for an amazing 31st AIME.
Calder is excited to announce the launch of an official AIME podcast in 2024, which will be recorded live at the event in collaboration with AIME’s podcast production partner, Connected Event Group, in its podcast studio on the show floor.
The podcast aims to take listeners behind the scenes of the dynamic and ever-evolving world of events. They are inviting people to join in exploring the latest trends, sharing expert insights, and discovering innovative approaches shaping the future of the industry.
For the first time at AIME, in 2024, there will be a dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers. The boutique will feature more than 20 operators offering bespoke and highly customizable experiences.
Additionally, a new zone for 2024, the DMC Network, will bring together destination management companies from across the globe. The hotel zone, reflecting the resurgence in travel post-Covid, will in 2024 occupy a space 50% larger than at AIME 2023.
Other show floor features and activations include the Accor Hosted Buyer Lounge, the Ideas Academy presented by Spice, and four new interactive breakout spaces to rejuvenate attendees.
Launching the three-day event on Monday, 19 February, AIME’s Knowledge Program is themed “The 4Ps of GLOCALISATION,” featuring two keynote speakers: award-winning marketing executive Lisa Ronson and bestselling author, TV host, and founder of the 100 Things movement, Sebastian Terry.
Curated by El Kwang and BEAM, with the support of an Advisory Committee consisting of eight industry leaders from the APAC region, the program is inspired by the AIME global community’s desire to harmonize the symbiotic relationship between global insights and local nuances.
The Knowledge Program will begin with a networking lunch presented by the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
As always, the much-anticipated AIME Welcome Event will be another highlight of the three-day show. This exclusive evening is open to hosted buyers, exhibitors, media partners, and VIPs. Visitor buyers have the option to enhance their experience by upgrading their ticket. More details about this unmissable welcome event will be announced soon.
Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson expresses pride in MCB’s role as a key contributor to the growth of the business events industry through AIME. For nearly a third of a century, as owners of AIME, the Melbourne Convention Bureau has been uniting the business events industry, fostering connections, and sharing knowledge at AIME, right here in Melbourne, the event capital of Australia.
“Just as the Australian Open is the first tennis Grand Slam of the year, AIME is the first international trade show in the business events sector. We are excited to launch the international calendar for 2024.”
AIME 2024 will take place from 19 to 21 February 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Tags: AIME, AIME 2024, global travel, Tourism, Trade Show, Travel, world tourism
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