Melbourne takes AIME with return of Australia’s biggest conference for its $36bn business events sector

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has welcomed the return, 21-23 March of APAC’s largest business events gathering for the Asia Pacific Incentive and Meetings Event (AIME). Pre-Covid-19, business events contributed around A$36bn to Australia’s economy. Organisers say AIME is the first national tradeshow to welcome international delegates since the pandemic hit. They come this year from countries including New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Africa. The show opened with 225 exhibitors and 342 hosted buyers.  It is hosted again by MCEC, which has hosted the event since inception, and the venue will see over 14,000 meetings between an anticipated 1,500+ visitor buyers and visitor suppliers. Show features include a zero waste cafe, and an immersive experience to illuminate blue sky thinking, with botanical cocktails and sweet treats. Pre-Covid-19, the business events sector was a strong performer for Australia with 1.04 million arrivals, spending A$4.5bn, making international business events visitors the second largest yielding market for Australia. According to the Tourism Australia’s International Visitor Survey 2019, business events visitors spend on average 74% more per night compared to leisure visitors. MCEC chief executive Peter King said MCEC is thrilled to welcome back its largest business industry event. “With international borders now open, AIME will be a celebration of the resilience of our industry and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and welcome people back to Melbourne and MCEC,” he said. “In Australia, an average of 440,000 business events are delivered annually, making a direct contribution to the economy and supporting 230,000 jobs, AIME is a chance to ensure this continues and expands,” King added. The show includes two options: a three-day in-person event and a five-day virtual platform called AIME Online for those unable to attend in person. Kicking off the three-day event, the Knowledge Exchange connected delegates from all over the world for a day of innovative education and community building. Speakers included Australia’s leading futurist, tech entrepreneur and growth hacker, Steve Sammartino, as well as Simon Griffiths co-founder and CEO of Who Gives A Crap and Australian broadcast journalist and former news anchor Mimi Kwa. As part of the show opening, AIME 2022 has launched new research revealing how the industry intends to spearhead recovery, as well as revive and thrive. The global survey, conducted with over 450 business events professionals, revealed 1-in-2 cite face-to-face meetings as the leading factor to boost business growth for the industry – with the lead reason being that it cements vital relationships (67%). When it came to the most exciting opportunities for business events, over half of respondents (54%) cited creative events, followed by innovative technology (38%). Silke Calder, event director at AIME said: “We are beyond thrilled to finally kick-off the 2022 event, after what has been one of the most challenging times ever for many industries around the world. For more details or to register to attend AIME in 2022, visit aime.com.au. To follow AIME’s journey on social media, visit Facebook, Instagram andLinkedIn.