AIME 2004 set to expand

Expect to see some changes at the Asia Pacific’s largest business travel, incentives and meetings event, when AIME 2004 opens for business in February. An enthusiastic new AIME Exhibition Manager, Rosemarie Sama, and her experienced team from Reed Travel Exhibitions, is looking at new ways to ensure AIME delivers more buyers, more variety, more exhibitors and more trade visitors than ever before.

New AIME floorplan

Exhibitors will be the first to notice the improved AIME floorplan, with a centrally located restaurant, for exhibitors and visitors. The AIME 2004 Exhibitor Prospectus was distributed in late June, with AIME 2003 exhibitors receiving priority in the space allocation process.

“If you have not yet received or requested an Exhibitor Prospectus please call or email Reed Travel Exhibitions today,” said Rosemarie Sama. “Now is the time to consider extending your space, or choosing the right site, if you are a first time exhibitor. Our sales team can help you find the right space, and discuss the options such as space only, shell scheme and the Pre-Scheduled Appointment (PSA) Programme.”

According to Ms Sama, exhibition space allocation to date is on schedule, with most exhibitors retaining the same space or increasing space in 2004.

“We are expecting an increase in space sales for AIME 2004, based on the excellent results reported by exhibitors this year,” Ms Sama said.

Ms Sama and her team have been reviewing all aspects of AIME 2003, and are making amendments to the event based on independent research involving interviews with exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and trade visitors.

“Each year we conduct independent research to help us keep up to date with even minor changes within the industry. This helps us to make professional decisions, based on research, to fine tune the event each year.”

New Asian Hosted Buyer Programme

The Asian Buyer Programme is new initiative for AIME 2004.

“We have enlisted the services of Pacific World, an organisation with 14 offices throughout Asia to attract and qualify corporate, PCO and agency buyers for AIME,” Ms Sama said.

In addition to the normal benefits received by Hosted Buyers, those on the Asian Buyer Programme will receive customised pre and post touring programmes with language assistance. Coupled with this, an Asian Business Summit will also be held during AIME for these buyers to discuss issues affecting the Asian business sector.

“We expect to almost double the number of Asian buyers attending AIME, from 33 in 2003 to 65 in 2004,” Ms Sama said.

Association Hosted Buyer Programme

The Association Buyer Programme, launched at AIME 2003 with great success, will continue in 2004. The aim of this programme is to increase association buyer attendance and provide added value for key association executives to attend AIME. This is facilitated with the cooperation of various Associations of Association Executives throughout the world.

In addition to the benefits received by Hosted Buyers, association buyers receive a structured industry-specific seminar programme each morning of AIME.

New AIME website and advertising campaign

The AIME Website has also had a redesign, to make it more user friendly for exhibitors and visitors. And, a new, eye-catching advertising campaign has also been released this month, and will run in all leading business travel publications in the region.

“AIME is an extremely successful event. Each year, we endeavour to improve and enhance the event, to ensure more buyers, exhibitors and visitors attend AIME, and obtain the maximum benefit from their involvement in the event,” Ms Sama said.

AIME 2004 will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre from 17 & 18 February.