Conference & Meetings World Issue 122 | Page 17

AIME

AIME all set to celebrate 30th anniversary event

THE ASIA PACIFIC INCENTIVES AND MEETINGS EVENT ( AIME ) WILL CELEBRATE ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY WHEN IT RETURNS TO THE MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ( MCEC ), 13 – 15 FEBRUARY 2023 . EVENT DIRECTOR SILKE CALDER PREVIEWS WHAT ’ S TO COME .

T he countdown to AIME 2023 is well and truly on . How are preparations going with just weeks to go ? As the flagship trade event for the MICE industry in the Asia Pacific region , AIME expects to connect more than 300 local and international exhibitors with 400 hosted buyers and 2,000 visitor buyers . I ’ m delighted to confirm that AIME 2023 is sold out . The response from exhibitors all around the world has been fantastic and a wonderful testament to the resilience of the business events industry . Seeing everyone coming together on the show floor is going to be a real buzz .

Visitor registration is now open , and we look forward to welcoming all those with an interest in business events to AIME . Visitor buyers can also upgrade their ticket to attend the Welcome Event and / or Knowledge Programme – a great way to enhance their time at AIME .
The 2023 Knowledge Programme theme is : ‘ Your Industry . Your Opportunity ’. What is the opportunity for the events industry right now ? Can you share more about what you have in-store here ? As part of our ongoing commitment to deliver the best programme for the industry , we established a Knowledge Programme Advisory Committee . This group of eight leaders from the MICE industry in the Asia Pacific have helped to guide the curation of the 2023 programme .
The events industry has had a big year . We know from all our conversations and planning sessions with the Committee that everyone is starting to feel the ‘ burn ’. Event planners more than ever are having to balance the practical skills of event planning with the more humanistic qualities which build connection within our workplaces and our events .
We have kept this front of mind when curating the 2023 Knowledge Programme , selecting a diverse range of
Above : Silke Calder
speakers and sessions to create space for us as individuals , and together as an industry , to inspire leadership , creativity and map a better path forward .
Can you give a preview of what potential hosted buyers can expect ? In a partnership first , we have taken on a naming rights partner for the Hosted Buyer Lounge . The Accor Hosted Buyer Lounge has been designed to demonstrate Accor ’ s exceptional offerings for meetings and events .
Our event planners already receive the full VIP treatment with inclusive travel , invitations to exclusive events and now with this new partnership they will also receive the first-class hospitality at AIME .
AIME 2023 exhibitors have been finalised . Can you share a few highlights ? As an Australian-based show , we are so pleased to share that every Australian state and territory will be represented on the show floor in 2023 .
It is also wonderful to be welcoming – or in some cases , welcoming back – international destinations and partners from Japan , Abu Dhabi , New Zealand , Malaysia , Qatar , Philippines , Hawaii and more .
Lastly , the Activate / Activate Live space that showcases some of our smaller exhibitors has more than tripled in size since last year . We are excited to have this space for our more boutique suppliers who really help planners finesse their events .
Any final words for anyone visiting AIME 2023 ? We cannot wait to welcome you all down under for our 30th anniversary event ! It ’ s a show you don ’ t want to miss .
To register , visit :
• aime . com . au
• facebook . com / AIMEAsiaPacific
• instagram . com / aimeasiapacific
• LinkedIn - AIME
ISSUE 122 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 17