Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), a leading trade event for the meetings and events industry in the Asia Pacific region, has announced a larger showfloor in 2024 by expanding the event’s footprint by an additional two bays at its home, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This growth allows the introduction of new zones, including The Boutique and DMC Network and bringing a number of first-time exhibitors to AIME, which is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and managed by Talk2 Media & Events.

The Boutique

A dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers, The Boutique will showcase such operators as small independently owned wineries with intimate spaces, design-led luxury venues with a distinct personality and services to match, and other bespoke and highly customisable experiences.

Also, for the first time at AIME, a dedicated zone for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) will be available. The DMC Network is a space that will bring together on-the-ground teams from all over the world who are perfectly positioned to curate tailored experiences for conferences, incentives and events in their region.

AIME 2024 will also feature dedicated spaces on the showfloor for those all-important impromptu meetings, facilitating more networking opportunities across the three days of the event.

Across three vibrant days, AIME delivers the platform for connecting vetted buyers with world-class exhibitors and propels industry leaders into an immersive space of learning, growth and development.

AIME visitors are welcome to spend as much time as they like on the showfloor and connect with more than 400 exhibitors from all around the world, including Australian venues and boutique event and tech suppliers.

Visitor registration opens on November, 13, 2023.

Held alongside the AIME tradeshow, the Ideas Academy is an intimate space providing visitors access to short, thought-provoking panel discussions and sessions.  

For the first time, the 2024 Ideas Academy will be presented by leading industry publication Spice Magazine. Each Ideas Academy session is delivered silently via individual headphones, with high-quality, informative content providing practical takeaways for attendees to implement in their business.

Ideas Academy presented by Spice Magazine sessions will run continuously at AIME on February 20-21, and are free for all attendees. Bookings are not required.

Hosted Buyer Program

Australian and New Zealand based event professionals who apply for the 2024 Hosted Buyer Program before October 31, 2023 and are accepted into the program, can win an incredible Canadian experience.

The prize supported by Club Med and Air Canada includes return flights, seven nights’ accommodation at Club Med Quebec Charlevoix with all meals, drinks, entertainment and activities –including ski lift passes and lessons.

Hosted buyers receive complimentary return economy flights to Melbourne, group transfers, luxury accommodation, meals and exclusive invitations to VIP networking events and the Melbourne Convention Bureau’s Uncover Melbourne Program. In return, hosted buyers commit to attending a minimum number of pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors across the two-day tradeshow.

Hosted buyer applications are open until December 8, 2023.

Accor Returns

AIME is excited to announce Accor will return as the naming rights partner for the Hosted Buyer Lounge at AIME 2024.

This builds upon a successful partnership in 2023 in which Accor was the first naming rights partner for the Hosted Buyer Lounge.

The Accor Hosted Buyers Lounge enhances the VIP experience for event planners attending AIME and augments the trade show experience through demonstrating Accor’s first-class offerings for meetings and events.

AIMEbassador Program

Some of the industry’s brightest stars have again joined the AIMEbassador Program for 2024.

The programme is designed to provide a platform for leadership and advocacy. Representing key touch points of the business events world, AIMEbassadors inspire change, build connection and most importantly use their collective voices to advance the growth of business events in Australia and the broader APAC region.

Industry leaders as AIMEbassdors for 2024 are:

• El Kwang, Founder and Chief Engager of BEAM
• Paula Rowntree, Head of External Engagement, Australian Psychological Society and Founder, The Business Events Network
• Mike Williams, Senior Partner, Senior Consultant, Gaining Edge
• Leanne Zeid, Director of Groups and Meetings, Regional Sales Australasia, IHG Hotels and Resorts
• Maggie Diasinos, Account Director, MCI Australia – TradeArabia News Service