The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is gearing up for a landmark event in 2025, and organiers are expecting over 600 exhibitors, 650 hosted buyers and 20,000 meetings. The 2025 show takes place 10-12 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). ‘We Matter!’ is the theme, underscoring the vital role the business events industry plays in driving economic growth and fostering innovation on a global scale.
Knowledge is power AIME kicks off with its Knowledge Programme, curated by BEAMexperience founder El Kwang, with input from an eight-member Advisory Committee of industry experts from across the Asia Pacific region. AIME event director Silke Calder says this year’s agenda will provide unparalleled insights, inspiration and intelligence for event professionals. “We are thrilled to have such inspirational and exciting industry leaders sharing their incredible insights and expertise across a full day of education and professional growth opportunities for attendees,” she says.
Two inspiring keynote speakers, Gus Balbontin and Dr Kristy Goodwin, will open the programme, exploring adaptability, performance and wellbeing as crucial elements in industry resilience. Drawing from his experience as CTO at Lonely Planet, Balbontin will deliver his keynote ADAPT, presented by ICMI, sharing practical insights on how businesses can stay agile and innovative amid the relentless pace of change.
Dr Goodwin, supported by Ovations! will present her keynote, Powered-Up Performers: The Neuroscience of Sustainable Peak-Performance in a Digital Age featuring science-backed strategies to optimise productivity, manage stress and sustain energy in the high-pressure world of business events and incentives. There will be 20 breakout sessions across four key categories – Upskilling, Workplace Management, Industry Matters and Self-Leadership. Workshops, panel discussions and presentations will involve over 30 leading industry figures, including Melissa Brown, CEO Australian Business Events Association.
Show floor buzz With an expanded footprint across 10 bays of the MCEC, over two days attendees will have the opportunity to explore innovative zones and meet face-to-face with the 600+ exhibitors, including convention bureaux, convention centres, hotels and unique venues, event technology companies, DMCs, airlines and suppliers from across Australia and beyond. There will be more than 200 new exhibitors in 2025, along with two new international pavilions – Singapore and Thailand – who join more than 25 countries represented at the event.
Dedicated zones, including The Boutique and DMC Network, will showcase bespoke experiences, including wineries, distilleries and intimate, design-led luxury venues. The Ideas Academy, presented by Spice, returns to the AIME show floor in 2025, offering a space for short, thought-provoking panel discussions and sessions, which are free for all AIME attendees without booking,
For three decades, AIME has been the must-attend event for those working within the business events industry in Asia Pacific, and in 2025, for the first time, global exhibitions association UFI will co-locate its 2025 Asia-Pacific Conference with AIME at MCEC (13-14 February 2025). The AIME 2025 Leaders Forum hosted by Australian Business Events Association will be held on 13 February and the AIME Welcome Event will be another highlight.
For more information or to register as an AIME attendee visit: aime.com.au
