AIME 2005 Breaks Records

AIME 2005, 13th AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, in Melbourne, Australia has broken its previous record for exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and trade visitors. Exhibitor numbers rose to 825, a 9% increase on 2004 and Hosted Buyer numbers increased to 425, a 13% increase on 2004. Total attendance increased to 2,528.

Fifty countries were represented at AIME even though the focus of the event is still very much on the Asia Pacific region. 46% of exhibitors were from Australia, 36.5% from Asia Pacific and 17.5% from other parts of the world. Hosted Buyers came from 29 countries.

“There was a very positive atmosphere at AIME this year, with high expectations for growth in the region and predictions of increasing business travel particularly in the Asia Pacific region,” said AIME Exhibition Manager, Rosemarie Sama.

The feedback from exhibitors and Hosted Buyers has been excellent. Buyers were extremely happy with the range of exhibits on show at AIME, the organisation of the event, the educational opportunities and the networking functions. Exhibitors have commented this year more than ever, on the quality of the Hosted Buyers and the trade visitors,” Ms Sama said.

Kuini Naisue from the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort said AIME had been very beneficial, “We have been really busy with our schedule completely booked. The quality of buyers this year has been amazing. We have also met a lot of new PCO’s that haven’t come to Fiji before but are now considering it as a destination,” she said.

Diana Jones from Thai Airways was also very happy with AIME 2005, “Thai Airways are always at AIME and are never disappointed. We have had good, productive appointments and have found that the quality of buyers this year have exceeded previous years,” she said.

Marcelo Molinari from Costa del Sol Tourist Board & Convention Bureau, said he had gained solid leads and had five requests for proposals, “We are just a small convention bureau but we exhibit at all the shows in Europe, Canada and the USA and I honestly haven’t seen such a high quality of buyers as I have at AIME”.

Bonny Robb from Green Route DMC, South Africa has exhibited at AIME for 4-5 years, “I have noticed that every year it’s getting bigger and better. We have met with quality people and the networking opportunities are just fantastic. The organisation of this event is second to none,” she said.

Hosted Buyers at AIME were also pleased with the exhibitors and the AIME pre scheduled appointment (PSA) programme.

Joyce Dogniez from Liberty Incentives and Congresses, Belgium said AIME was a very well organised trade show, “The Pre Scheduled Appointment system is very convenient and so simple to use. It allows you to see people most relevant to you. I have been able to see everyone I wanted to see and found that the quality of exhibitors was very high.”

Peter Hirschler from TMC Tourism Marketing Consulting, Austria also found the PSA system to be excellent. He said, “This is my first time at AIME and I have found it incredibly efficient and interesting. Compared to other events in Europe the organisation is fantastic and although it’s smaller the exhibitors are still quite diversified and provide quality information. The PSA system is excellent. It saves so much time having all the information online.”

Joost De Meyer, from First Incentive Travel Inc in the USA, was at AIME for the first time, “There were a lot of destinations on show here and it was great to have such a variety to choose from. I’m glad I have had the chance to see Asia Pacific exhibitors and see what they have on offer. Americans are slowly coming back to the region so it’s been great to see all the latest developments.”

Chen Lei from China Swan International Tours was another first-timer to AIME, “The quality of exhibitors has been exceptional; there is quite a diverse range. Even if you just take Australian exhibitors into account there is such a diverse range of product available. Coming to AIME was very worthwhile for me.”

AIME 2005 Best Stand Awards

The AIME 2005 Best Stand Awards were announced at the AIME Gala Dinner on Tuesday 22 February. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef Region won the award for the Best Multi Stand, Hilton Hotels of Australia took out the award for the best Single Stand and the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation won the Best New Exhibitor Award. The AIME Personality of the Year was Anne-Marie Coulton from the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau.

AIME 2006 will be held on 6 & 7 June at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

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