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MEETINGS 2023 achieves carbon zero certification
Start planning now for AIME 2025
Savvy EAs whose role incorporates running meetings and sourcing event venues should start thinking now about applying for hosted buyer status at next year ’ s AIME exhibition in Melbourne . Scheduled for February 2025 , the organisers anticipate hosting 600 planners , welcoming more than 3500 visitors and having 500 + exhibitors .
There are variety of ways to attend , including as a fully hosted buyer , semi-hosted , a hosted day buyer , or simply as a day visitor :
w Hosted buyers who commit to completing 32 x 15-minute presentations with exhibitors receive complimentary flights , transfers , accommodation , access to the show floor , a ticket to the Knowledge Program and Welcome Event , and invites to exclusive buyer-only events . w Semi-hosted buyers commit to completing 20 x 15-minute presentations with exhibitors and get receive complimentary accommodation , access to the show floor , access to the Hosted Buyer Lounge , a ticket to the Knowledge Program and Welcome Event , and invites to exclusive buyer-only events . Semi-hosted buyers must arrange their own travel .
EAs will have the opportunity to meet with national and international convention bureaux , convention centres , hotels and resorts , unique venues , event technology companies , production and AV companies , destination management companies , airlines , cruise companies and suppliers from every Australian state . You ’ ll also find a growing number of exhibitors from international destinations including Japan , New Zealand , Africa , Fiji , Hong Kong , Macau , Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand , Korea , Singapore , USA , Canada , Germany , Italy , Malta , Norway , Spain , UK / Ireland , Vietnam , India , Maldives , Monaco , Sri Lanka and more – at the 2024 event there was a 63 % increase in international exhibitor participation . S aime . com . au
Everyone involved in MEETINGS should be proud of achieving Toitū net carbon zero certification , says BEIA ’ s chief executive Lisa Hopkins
“ Our 220 exhibitors , 500 buyers and our venue , Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre , as well as our partners , our suppliers and our host city Wellington all played vital roles , not only through their sustainable practices but also in supporting the local community ,” declares Lisa .
As the official association for the industry , BEIA is committed to the long-term measurement , management and reduction of greenhouse gases for this flagship event , she says : “ Our role is to lead the way in sustainability practices and put them at the core of everything we do . Toitū event certification now gives us the platform to work towards continual reduction of carbon emissions for MEETINGS and future improvements year-on-year .”
Collaborating with Toitū , BEIA developed a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan for the event , which included :
w Offsetting all hosted buyers and event staff ’ s air travel using Air New Zealand ’ s FlyNeutral program w Encouraging exhibitors and day buyers to offset travel and freight emissions w Encouraging attendees to bring their own reusable bags and water bottles w Reducing printed material w Encouraging use of digital assets by exhibitors and media partners w Reducing food and beverage waste w Encouraging walking to the venue w Replacing hosted buyer gifts with donations to local charities , including Kaibosh Food Rescue , Gillies McIndoe Research and Wellington Zoo . S
Winter Issue 2024 | Executive PA 47