Melbourne, Australia – The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), the leading trade convention for the meetings and events industry in the Asia Pacific region, has announced that their 30th-anniversary show held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13-15 February 2023, will generate an anticipated $200 million in business between exhibitors and buyers over the next 12 months, which is a near 70% increase on 2022.

The post-show analysis also revealed that 90% of exhibitors were satisfied with their attendance at AIME, outperforming equivalent benchmarks and placing AIME in the top 5% of trade shows globally for exhibitor satisfaction. Similarly, nearly 90% of visitors were satisfied with their attendance at AIME, outperforming both equivalent benchmarks and previous AIME events, placing AIME in the top 10% of trade shows globally for visitor satisfaction. Additionally, almost 80% of visitors are likely to return to AIME, feeling it’s essential in advancing their businesses, and is the place to source new products/services.

AIME 2023 Showfloor

Silke Calder, AIME Event Director, attributed the success of the 2023 event to the hard work that goes into fostering outstanding business outcomes, including their bespoke technology, rigorous vetting of buyers, AI-powered meeting platform, and first-class Knowledge and AIMEbassadors Programs. These results endorse the value of business events at every juncture.

Excitement is already building for AIME 2024, with most 2023 exhibitors reserving space for next year. This demonstrates the show’s legacy and its importance to the global business events industry. AIME has proven itself as an essential platform for connecting key decision-makers and the people who make it all happen.

Over 400 hosted buyers and media outlets, 3,000 visitors, and more than 350 exhibitors attended AIME, where over 12,000 meetings took place. New zoning on the show floor enhanced networking and navigation, and new features – The Accor Hosted Buyers Lounge, a new ‘Tech’ area, and a Wellness Café – improved the delegate experience. Visitors were also treated to ‘touches of Australia,’ including a considerable kangaroo and a special anniversary lanyard featuring First Nations’ artwork throughout.

A highly-anticipated Knowledge Program launched AIME on 13 February and saw an inspiring keynote from Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic. The program addressed industry hot topics around the future of work, including how to build a more resilient events community.

Delegates celebrated AIME’s 30-year legacy at a Welcome Event co-hosted by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) on the Marvel Stadium oval. State-of-the-art pearl theming celebrating 30 years was reflected in a directional menu created by Victorian producers, Delaware North. Hot Dub Time Machine Entertainment took revellers through 30 years of dance tunes.

Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau, expressed her pride in the significant business platform AIME has become over its 30 years and the far-reaching commercial outcomes the event drives. “AIME enables new and valuable connections to drive commerce for us here in Victoria and the wider Asia Pacific region. At the core, we are about business events and providing the best access to key decision makers and the people who make it all happen. AIME has proven itself as an essential platform for this.”

AIME 2024 will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 19-21 February 2024. For expressions of interest or more information, please visit aime.com.au.

Written by: Stephen Morton

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