AIME 2024: what to expect at the biggest AIME in a decade

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the flagship trade event for the global meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. For that reason, 2024 will see AIME host more than 600 buyers from around the world, welcome 3500 visitor buyers and 570 exhibitors from various business events sectors and countries. Thirty-three countries are expected to be represented at the event, demonstrating a 63% increase in the number of exhibitors at AIME 2023. It will cement AIME’s position as the premier event for the international business events community in the region. Exhibitors will include:

• Convention Bureaux
• Convention centres
• Hotels and Resorts
• Unique venues
• Event technology companies
• Production and AV companies
• Destination Management Companies (DMCs)
• Airlines
• Cruise companies and suppliers from every Australian state

International destinations attending AIME for the first time post-Covid will include Canada, Fiji, Korea, Macau, USA, Italy, Malta, Norway, Sri Lanka, UK/Ireland, Vietnam, India, Maldives, and Monaco. They join countries including Japan, New Zealand, Africa, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Germany and Spain – who are returning to the AIME show floor. Because of the influx of exhibitors, AIME is expanding the event’s footprint by an additional two bays at its home, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

New zones

This growth will allow the introduction of new zones, including The Boutique and DMC Network while bringing several 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 with a distinct personality and services to match, and other bespoke and highly customisable experiences. Also, for the first time at AIME, a dedicated zone for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) will exist – the DMC Network. This space will bring together on-the-ground teams from all over the world who curate tailored experiences for conferences, incentives, and events in their region. AIME 2024 will also feature dedicated spaces on the show floor for those all-important impromptu meetings, facilitating more networking opportunities across the three days of the event. A dedicated tech zone – which will be double the size of 2023 – continues to highlight the importance of event technology companies and suppliers to the global industry. The hotel zone continues to grow in popularity – a testament to the post-Covid bounce back of travel. This year its footprint will be 50% larger than AIME 2023 AIME Activate and AIME Activate Live zones have also doubled in size from last year’s event and will feature new products and suppliers on the show floor that help activate and level up events. Other show floor features and activations include the Accor Hosted Buyer Lounge, the Good Taste Cafe by Morton Hire, and Ideas Academy presented by Spice. AIME event director Silke Calder says that the team is excited to welcome the global 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 this year. “More than 600 hosted buyers will attend AIME 2024, which is an amazing growth of 51% in 2023. We’ve expanded the show floor, introduced exciting new zones and will welcome more buyers, and more exhibitors, and facilitate more pre-scheduled meetings between hosted buyers and exhibitors than last year’s incredible 30th anniversary event.”

Content

Calder adds that the team is thrilled to announce an official AIME podcast – launching in 2024. Episodes will be recorded live at AIME 2024 in collaboration with AIME’s podcast production partner, Connected Event Group, in its portable podcast studio on the show floor. “The podcast aims to take listeners behind the scenes of the dynamic and ever-evolving world of events. Join us as we delve into the latest trends, share expert insights, and explore innovative approaches shaping the future of the industry,” she says. Kicking off the three-day event on Monday 19 February will be AIME’s highly anticipated Knowledge Program, themed ‘The 4Ps of GLOCALISATION’. It is inspired by the AIME global community’s wish to harmonise the relationship between global insights and local nuances. The programme has been curated by El Kwang and BEAM with the support of an Advisory Committee consisting of eight industry leaders from the APAC region. 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). Joining the keynote speakers, a mix of industry business leaders and renowned professionals will address visitors on the first day of AIME 2024. As part of the Knowledge Program, there will be concurrent breakout sessions focusing on the 4P’s: People, Planet, Purpose, and Profit. A new highlight for 2024 is ‘The Pitch’, where the leading speakers from each session will have 60 seconds to pitch their topics to the plenary participants. The AIME 2024 Knowledge Program is expected to be attended by hosted buyers, media, exhibitors, and visitor buyers who upgrade their tickets, but opportunities for education and inspiration will continue for all attendees on the following days of AIME. Held alongside the AIME trade show, the Ideas Academy (presented by Spice Magazine) is an intimate space providing visitors access to short, thought-provoking panel discussions and sessions. The Ideas Academy will feature some of the MICE industry’s leading experts imparting their wisdom and sharing tips on how to elevate events to the next level. Master of ceremonies will be Simon Cooper, managing director of Interpoint Events. With industry experience spanning more than 40 years, Simon will be bringing a little spice to AIME’s 2024 Ideas Academy. Topics covered by keynote speakers and discussion panels will include:

• Modern approaches to team building
• Event accessibility and inclusivity
• First Nations innovation and offerings within the Australian tourism sector
• Trends in food and events
• Health and wellness in the events space
• Harnessing creativity when planning and ideating events
• Leveraging event entertainment to create an emotional connection with attendees
• Creating sustainable events
• Effective event marketing.

Ideas Academy presented by Spice sessions will run continuously at AIME 20-21 February and will be free for all attendees. Bookings are not required.

More details

As always, the hugely anticipated AIME Welcome Event will be a highlight of the three-day show.  This exclusive evening is open to hosted buyers, exhibitors, media partners, and VIPs. Visitor buyers can elevate their experience by upgrading their tickets. It’s a night to remember! More details on the Welcome Event will be announced soon.