AIME’s first day came to a sparkling conclusion with the show’s eagerly anticipated Welcome Event – a vivid Italian extravaganza that delighted everyone who attended.

Organising and throwing a party for over 2000 people is no easy feat. It takes a lot of organisation – and this one worked perfectly.

The venue for the Monday evening spectacular was Mercato Centrale in Melbourne’s city centre. Themed the AIMalfi FESTA, the AIME Welcome Event let more than 2000 people experience the interactive Italian artisan food market transformed into the Amalfi Coast.

AIME has returned to business after an evening of fun, food, and networking.

Over three days, AIME has hosted more than 640 buyers worldwide and welcomed more than 4500 attendees and 675 exhibitors from various business events sectors around Asia Pacific and the world.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) this year, more than 200 new exhibitors will be attending AIME 2025, along with two new international pavilions, Singapore and Thailand, joining 30 countries and territories represented at the event.

There are 170 hosted international buyers from New Zealand, Europe, the UK, Southeast Asia, North Asia, India, South America, the USA, and Canada and more than 470 domestic buyers -with 3 in 4 hosted buyers attending AIME for the first time.

This builds on the exceptional growth of 2024 – where more than A$330 million of business was forecast to be traded between exhibitors and buyers in the 12 months following – and cements AIME as the leading event for the international business events community in the Asia Pacific region.

The event is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and managed by Talk2 Media & Events. This is the fourth show to be delivered by AIME Event Director Silke Calder and her team.

Talk2 Media & Events CEO Matt Pearce confirmed that AIME 2025 is the biggest show the team has ever produced.

“In an environment where there are new entrants and regional events this is testament to AIME’s track record of delivering meaningful business outcomes. Last year, more than A$330 million of business was generated at AIME and we are confident that figure will be higher again this year.”

“AIME is about more than just impressive numbers. It’s about creating an experience that exceeds expectations, fosters meaningful connections, and drives the business events industry forward. And this week Melbourne and AIME truly is where the business events world meets in Asia Pacific.”

Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson concurred.

“AIME provides the best opportunities in our region for industry to share knowledge, create meaningful connections and drive economic and social outcomes across our sector,” Swanson said.

“It’s the perfect platform for the entire business events industry to showcase their products and services to a targeted and informed audience.”

“As demonstrated in our new Positive Impact of Business Events report, the value that business events bring in inspiring change, fostering social connection, driving economic growth, and creating enduring legacies is undeniable. Business events are transformative, both for everyone involved and the cities they take place in, and this report presents a fantastic opportunity to highlight the many advantages that decades of events have had on Melbourne and Victoria.”

“Well done to AIME event managers Talk2 Media & Events for once again delivering a standout event in 2025, and to all our MCB partners in showcasing the vibrancy, innovation and business events capability of our city.”

 

 

 

Written by: Peter Needham at AIME in Melbourne

 

 

 

 

 

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