Australian Tourism Minister to Open AIME 2006

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has  confirmed that the Australian Minister for Tourism, Hon Fran Bailey MP, will officially open AIME 2006 at 9.45am on Tuesday 6 June at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

It will be the second visit to AIME for the Minister who last year launched AIME 2005 and toured the event, visiting many Australian and international stands.

AIME 2006, 14th AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, is expected to be the largest to date, with 850 exhibitors from 45 countries participating in the two-day event.

It will be the first time the event has been held in June, due to the staging of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games held earlier this year.

“There has always been the question of whether AIME would grow in a year when it moved away from its usual month of February. But the response by exhibitors has been excellent and we expect a record 850 exhibitors including more than 150 first time exhibitors,” said Rosemarie Sama, AIME Event Director.

“Even now, with the exhibition only weeks away, we are still receiving enquiries from companies wishing to exhibit,” Ms Sama said.

AIME 2006 will cover a record 11,200 square metres of space when the doors open on 6 June.

“Hosted buyer numbers are also strong with increased numbers coming from Australia, Asia and the United States. We expect more than 450 Hosted Buyers from international and national associations, international corporations, incentive houses and national professional conference organisers and event managers.

“This year we also have a very strong programme of professional development seminars that will assist people in organising conferences, incentives and events and in running their businesses more profitably and efficiently,” said Ms Sama.

AIME 2006 will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 6 – 7 June, 2006.

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