AIME to Celebrate 25 Years in 2017

The 25th annual Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), which will take place in Melbourne, Australia 21 – 22 February 2017, will celebrate a quarter of a century of bringing the meetings and events industry together.

AIME 2017 is set to reflect on the industry’s past; the people, the places and the events that have shone, whilst also looking at the future of the industry; the up and coming leaders, the technologies impacting the industry, the new event styles and forms of global collaboration.

A revitalised awards program, new competitions, increased international participation, qualified hosted buyers, a diverse range of exhibitors, an enhanced AIME Knowledge Program and a range of networking functions is setting AIME 2017 up to be the biggest and best on record.

Leading the show for the second year, Ian Wainwright, Event Director of AIME, Reed Travel Exhibitions has been designing a range of commemorative and future focused initiatives to engage the community and drive AIME to new heights in its 25th year.

“The 2016 edition welcomed 4,600 attendees and 450 exhibitors, with over 9,000 buyer appointments secured, 47% of whom were new to AIME,” said Mr Wainwright. “In 2017, a range of new promotional and sponsorship opportunities have been developed for exhibitors to increase their return on investment. The fruitful appointment system from 2016 will be back with additional features added to drive the 71% of mutual matches between exhibitors and buyers even higher. The business partnerships created between exhibitors and hosted buyers are core to the success of AIME.”

AIME 2017 already has numerous high profile exhibitors on board including Japan National Tourism Organisation, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cvent, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, TFE Hotels, Silversea Cruises, P&O Cruises, Perth Convention Bureau, ICC Sydney, The Star Entertainment Group, Doltone House, Harry the Hirer, Luna Park and Decorative Events & Exhibitions.

Karen Bolinger, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, owner of AIME, said, “Ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index as the most livable city for the sixth year achieving a near perfect score across the five criteria of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure; Melbourne has so much to offer meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions ... We’re looking forward to showing off our beautiful city, our hotels, restaurants, event spaces and attractions to delegates of AIME 2017 for the 25th anniversary.”

AIME 2017 will be held from 21 – 22 February at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

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