Aiming for a strong return
THE CMW TEAM SAT DOWN WITH SILKE CALDER , EVENT DIRECTOR AT AIME , TO DISCUSS THE 2022 EVENT ’ S ROLE IN LEADING THE REVITALISATION OF THE MICE INDUSTRY IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
C MW : What is the theme
of this year ’ s show ? Silke Calder : Reconnect ; Revive ; Thrive . After two years of cancelled events , fear-induced living , and a rollercoaster of emotions , we understand that the events industry is now ready to lift the Covid veil , reconnect , and resume business activities .
Prior to the pandemic , it was easy to take for granted those moments of joy and creativity that are so often sparked during face-to-face connection .
When planning AIME we knew we wanted to create a show that would lift spirits , reignite creativity and support people in stepping out of survival mode and into a world of optimism and opportunity .
This year , delegates can expect a show that is injected with personality , energy , and delivers a strong ROI .
CMW : Explain the mood among delegates about returning to live ; what ’ s the incentive to attend the in-person event , or why might someone join online ? SC : Since the announcement earlier this month that travel restrictions both within and to Australia were easing , we have received another wave of enquiries from excited exhibitors and buyers who are keen to attend AIME in person . I think border restrictions lifting was the only incentive they needed .
There is no doubt from the many conversations I ’ ve had over the past year that delegates are ready to connect . With over 220 exhibitors and 300 buyers attending the live show , there will be plenty of opportunities to supercharge business .
For those delegates unable to attend AIME in person , we have created AIME Online , a platform for buyers and exhibitors to be able to connect in their own time zones and start filling their pipelines for 2022 and beyond .
CMW : Event planners are under increasing pressure to create more sustainable events , what content do you have planned to support them ? SC : There is certainly an expectation that event planners need to act sustainably when hosting large-scale events , and it ’ s climbing higher and higher on the industry ’ s agenda . Planners should be constantly reviewing ways to ensure their events are as green as possible , whether that ’ s through minimising energy consumption or eliminating unnecessary waste .
With sustainability in mind , we ’ ve ensured that our event partners reflect these values . AIME ’ s host venue , the
Above : Silke Calder
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre ( MCEC ), is committed to fulfilling a range of sustainability goals , including eliminating 90 % of problematic single-use plastics by 2025 , improving Victoria ’ s biodiversity and ecosystems , operating from 100 % renewable energy by 2028 , and reducing net carbon emissions to zero by 2030 . Additionally , certifications and government approvals are also great indicators that a venue meets environmental standards . That ’ s part of the reason why we ’ ve partnered with Melbourne and Olympic Park ’ s newest venue , CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park for AIME ’ s Welcome Party .
The venue has achieved LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) Gold Certification , which means it ’ s been independently verified as being resource- and energy-efficient , and helps contribute to cleaner , greener , healthier cities .
DETAILS What : AIME 2022 When : 21 – 23 March , Melbourne , Australia ; AIME Online : 28 March – 1 April How : aime . com . au
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