AIME 2024 set for big February return

Organisers of the AIME meetings industry trade show for Australaisa are predicting the 2024 event, which takes place in Melbourne 19-21 February 2024, will be even bigger than last year’s 30th anniversary event. They say more than 500 exhibitors will be attending, a figure that represents a growth of more than 40% on AIME 2023. Six hundred hosted buyers are expected to attend AIME 2024, with more than 160 international buyers heading to Melbourne – growth of 51% on AIME 2023. There will be 27 countries represented at AIME 2024 and exhibitors include convention bureaux, convention centres, hotels and resorts, unique venues, event technology companies, production and AV companies, DMCs, airlines and suppliers from every Australian state as well as international destinations including Japan, New Zealand, Africa, Fiji, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, Malta, Norway, Spain, UK and Vietnam. To accommodate this growth, AIME will feature a larger showfloor in 2024, expanding the event’s footprint by an additional two bays at its home, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This expanded showfloor allows the introduction of new zones, including The Boutique and DMC Network and bringing a number of first-time exhibitors to AIME. A dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers, The Boutique will showcase such operators as small independently owned wineries with intimate spaces, design-led luxury venues and other bespoke and highly customisable experiences. Also, for the first time, there will be a dedicated zone for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) – the DMC Network. This space will bring together on-the-ground teams from all over the world who are perfectly positioned to curate tailored experiences for conferences, incentives and events in their region. The showfloor will also have areas for those all-important impromptu meetings, designed to facilitate more networking opportunities across the three days of the event. The theme for AIME’s 2024 Knowledge Programme is ‘The 4Ps of GLOCALISATION’ and will explore the relationship between global insights and local nuances. Curated by BEAM in collaboration with the 2024 Knowledge Programme Advisory Committee, the Knowledge Programme will launch AIME on 19 February 2024. Two keynote speakers will explore the intricate dynamics of glocalisation’s transformative impact: award-winning marketing executive Lisa Ronson (supported by Saxton Speakers Bureau), and bestselling author, TV host and founder of the 100 Things movement, Sebastian Terry (supported by ICMI). AIME Event Director Silke Calder said: “We can’t wait to welcome the business events community back to Melbourne in February. We’re thrilled with the support we’ve received from international destinations along with Australia’s convention bureaus, with every state in Australia represented at AIME next year. We’ve expanded the show floor, introduced exciting new zones and will welcome more buyers, more exhibitors and facilitate more pre-scheduled meetings between hosted buyers and exhibitors than last year’s incredible 30th anniversary event.” More than 15,000 pre-scheduled meetings between hosted buyers and exhibitors are expected to take place over two days at AIME (20 and 21 February), with visitor buyers also able to schedule meetings with more than 500 exhibitors. Registration is now open at aime.com.au The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and managed by Talk2 Media & Events.