Today marks the grand inauguration of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2024, promising to be the most expansive AIME of the decade.
Held at the prestigious Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), AIME is set to welcome over 600 esteemed buyers from across the globe, along with 3500 visitors and 570 exhibitors representing diverse sectors of the business events industry. The event spans three dynamic days, from the 19-21 February 2024.
As the premier trade event for the meetings and events sector in the Asia Pacific region, AIME 2024 boasts a staggering 63% increase in exhibitors compared to its 2023 edition, solidifying its stature as the foremost gathering for the international business events community in the region.
Projections estimate that AIME 2024 will catalyze business transactions exceeding $200 million.
Owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and skillfully managed by Talk2 Media & Events for the past six years, this year’s event marks the third successive installment overseen by AIME Event Director, Silke Calder, and her dedicated team.
With representation from 33 countries and an impressive lineup of over 16,000 pre-scheduled meetings between vetted buyers and exhibitors, the expanded show floor emerges as the epicenter where the global business fraternity convenes in the Asia Pacific to forge impactful connections.
Breaking new ground, AIME 2024 introduces the inaugural Boutique zone, featuring more than 20 operators offering bespoke and highly customizable experiences. Additionally, the DMC Network zone debuts, uniting Destination Management Companies from around the world.
The official launch of AIME 2024 commenced with a press conference this morning, graced by The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events; Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media and Events; and Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau.
Minister Dimopoulos hailed AIME as the premier business event trade show in the Asia-Pacific region, marking it as the first among the ‘big four’ trade shows on the international business events calendar for 2024.
CEO Matt Pearce announced AIME’s participation in the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative, a global endeavor aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of the events industry.
MCB unveiled its First Peoples Engagement Guide, a valuable resource designed to enrich the cultural fabric of business events and promote positive social impact.
The trade show unfolds over three days at MCEC, with AIME’s Knowledge Program serving as the nexus for global industry convergence. Over 1000 attendees are registered to participate in Knowledge Program sessions held at The Plenary at MCEC.
Themed “The 4Ps of GLOCALISATION,” AIME’s 2024 Knowledge Program features keynote addresses by esteemed marketing executive Lisa Ronson and bestselling author Sebastian Terry, curated to harmonise global insights with local nuances.
Spearheaded by El Kwang and BEAM in collaboration with an Advisory Committee comprising eight industry leaders from the APAC region, the program embodies the collective aspiration of the AIME global community.
The Knowledge Program kicks off with a networking lunch presented by the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
Wrapping up the first day, the eagerly awaited Welcome Event unfolds this evening at Grazeland in Melbourne’s inner west, transforming the outdoor food playground into an enchanting neon carnival exclusively for AIME Welcome Event attendees.
For more information, visit www.aime.com.au.