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The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) gets underway at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this morning as delegates from the business events community arrive from around the country and the world to attend the number-one trade show for the sector.

More than 600 exhibitors and 650 hosted buyers are expected to conduct over 20,000 meetings this year. The focus is squarely on sustainability.

Media attending the event gained an early sample of Melbourne’s many attractions yesterday, exploring the Victorian capital through what organisers described as “a fresh, sustainability-focused lens”.

The 2025 Sustainable Melbourne Media Famil, organised by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), underscored the city’s commitment to sustainability in all business events.

The famil delivered a curated tour of sustainable suppliers, innovative experiences, and responsible dining — all within the heart of the Melbourne CBD.

A highlight of the program was a visit to 1 Hotel Melbourne, which is substantially completed and set to be one of the city’s biggest 2025 hotel openings. Located on the Yarra facing the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), this serene riverside retreat is built with reclaimed and recycled materials. One unique touch is that guests can open 90% of the room windows. The air-conditioning turns off automatically when the windows are open. The property fronts a tranquil riverside park, and its ballroom will hold 1500 guests for a cocktail party.

Lunch was at at Farmer’s Daughters, an establishment awarded One Hat in the 2023 Good Food Guide Awards. This farm-to-table restaurant showcases the finest local produce. Some of Melbourne’s leading organisations, including Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, briefed the media on how the city sets the standard for delivering sustainable events across various sectors over lunch.

Media then discovered the rich culture of the Kulin Nation on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens. This guided walk lets visitors explore ancestral lands, learning about traditional meeting places and native plants. Our guide, Marie, gave insights into Aboriginal customs and plant uses, her knowledge deriving from a deep connection to the Country. In addition to botany, plenty of Australian history was in the mix to add another dimension to the story.