AIME celebrates its 30th in style
CMW , IN MELBOURNE FOR THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW , SEES BUYERS , EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS RETURN TO MELBOURNE IN GOOD NUMBERS FOR AIME 2023
T he Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event ( AIME ) returned to Melbourne in style in February , with over 400 hosted buyers and approximately 3,000 visitors .
The show , organised by Talk2 Media & Events for Melbourne Convention Bureau ( MCB ), also attracted 350 exhibitors to its 30-year celebratory edition and ran , 13-15 February , at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre ( MCEC ).
Organisers said 25 countries were represented at AIME 2023 and 12,000 pre-scheduled meetings took place . The 2023 show was 40 % bigger than last year ’ s .
New event features included : The Accor Hosted Buyers Lounge , a ‘ Tech ’ area , and a Wellness Café . An enormous kangaroo and a special anniversary lanyard featuring First Nations ’ artwork , were some of the ‘ touches of Australia ’ delegates were treated to .
Organisers held an opening press conference at THE LUME , Melbourne featuring The Hon . Steve Dimopoulos MP , Victoria ’ s minister for tourism , sport and major events ; Julia Swanson , CEO , Melbourne Convention Bureau ; Natalie O ’ Brien AM , CEO , Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Phillipa Harrison , managing director , Tourism Australia .
AIME ’ s Knowledge Programme included an address from Australian tennis star , Jelena Dokic , and saw a mix of industry business leaders and professionals as well as keynote speakers share their knowledge and experience .
The Day 1 Welcome Event was held at Marvel Stadium , co-hosted with MCB . State-of-the-art pearl theming celebrating 30 years was mirrored in a directional menu curated by Victorian producers , Delaware North .
Flying onto the show floor as one of this year ’ s main attractions was Australia ’ s first female jet fighter pilot who made an appearance on the Afterburner Top Gun stand .
Pilot ‘ Em ’ not only breaks the sound
Above : L-R : Matt Pearce , CEO Talk2 Media ; Steve Dimopoulos , Victoria ’ s minister for tourism , sport and major events , and Julia Swanson , CEO Melbourne Convention Bureau barrier , she also breaks down barriers in what was once a predominantly male domain – as the RAAF welcomes an inclusive and diverse policy . She shared some of the fighter pilot mindset and the simple methodology behind their success with visitors to the stand .
Afterburner also had two big prizes up for grabs – an authentic Top Gun bomber jacket and AUD $ 2,000 off an Afterburner team building event or keynote .
CEO of organiser Talk2 Media & Events , Matt Pearce told CMW post-show : “ AIME was awesome ! We have received strong and positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike . What is so pleasing is the number of meetings and conversations taking place . It was clear to us that business events are back and the Asia Pacific region is showing strong interest in embracing our sector once more .
“ Our event director , Silke Calder and her team delivered a well considered and curated show . From the start of our education sessions on Monday , through the huge opening welcome party and onto the show floor for two days of meetings , AIME had a strong vibe . One that shouted that business events are back .
“ Although it was too early for us to have a Chinese contingent at the show this year , the region was clearly buoyed by the prospect of China reopening and the impact that will have across all of us in the Asia Pacific .”
Pearce said his biggest challenge was , “ How the hell do we beat it next year !”
The journey to a successful 2023 event has not always been smooth , as Pearce admits : “ 2020 was a watershed moment . We put in a new event director . Silke [ Calder ] came in and we had all these grand plans . Of course , 2021 didn ’ t happen due to Covid and 2022 was slightly muted because businesses weren ’ t open .
“ But those plans are manifesting themselves now . We have been stopped in the aisles many times and
36 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 123