AIME 2004 launched at EIBTM

A taste of the Asia Pacific came to EIBTM today, when AIME 2004, the 12th AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo, was launched to international media and exhibitors.

AIME is one of the largest and most economically significant business travel, incentive and meetings exhibitions held in the southern hemisphere. Held annually in February, the event attracts exhibitors and buyers from throughout the world, but with an emphasis on the Asia Pacific region.

Today’s launch included the release of research on AIME 2003, commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions and conducted by independent research company, Micromex Marketing Services, and the announcement of new initiatives for AIME 2004.

“AIME 2004 will be held on 17 & 18 February at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. It is already expected to be larger than this year’s event, following extremely positive feedback from exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and trade visitors,” said Rosemarie Sama, AIME Exhibition Manager.

“Micromex Marketing Services’ analysis of their data on all three surveys – exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and trade visitors - found that overall, ‘there was a high degree of satisfaction with the event’ by exhibitors, that ‘Hosted Buyers were very satisfied with their participation at this exhibition’ and that trade visitor responses ‘were very positive’,” Ms Sama said.

In announcing the release of the research results, Ms Sama confirmed Reed Travel Exhibition’s commitment to independent research.

“This research allows us to further develop AIME as a benchmark event in the industry. It helps us make more informed marketing decisions, and therefore achieve the results that our exhibitors and buyers want. We also distribute the data to all our industry partners, sponsors and exhibitors.”

AIME 2003 STATISTICS

AIME 2003 occupied more than 4000m2 of space with 647 exhibitors from 39 countries, making it the largest AIME to date. Exhibitor numbers were up by 8.2%, with additional exhibitors coming from outside Australia. They came from Asia, Europe and the USA.

Attendance figures also increased, with visitor numbers up by 5.4% and Hosted Buyer numbers up by 16%. Total trade attendance was 2,597, including 331 Hosted Buyers from 29 countries.

The event attracted a record number of Hosted Buyers from Australia, USA, Asia and New Zealand, with Hosted Buyer numbers increasing from almost every region. The number of incentive buyers, association buyers, and corporate buyers also increased.

345 exhibitors participated in the Pre-Scheduled Appointment Programme with more than 8,100 appointments made between buyers and sellers through this PSA Programme.

AIME 2003 RESEARCH RESULTS

1. Intention to Return to AIME in 2004
95% of exhibitors intend to return to AIME in 2004
94% of trade visitors intend to return to AIME in 2004
94% of Hosted Buyers agreed that ‘AIME is a must attend event’.

2. Exhibitor opinions on AIME 2003
90% indicated they would recommend exhibiting at AIME to associates
92% of exhibitors agreed that AIME is a must attend event
91% said that AIME was very important for their business
87% agreed that AIME has the right visitors for them

3. Exhibitor Objectives
90.3% To generate new sales leads
80.6% To promote company/products
68.8% To maintain status as key player in the industry
57.0% To strengthen relationship with current customers
47.3% To keep up with the competition
45.2% To increase sales to existing customers

4. Business Leads Generated
1 – 20 leads 80.6%
21 – 40 leads 10.3%
41 – 60 leads 3.9%
61 – 100 leads 4.5%
100 + leads 0.6%

5. Categories of buyers exhibitors prefer to meet
91.1% Conference / Meetings / Congress
63.7% Incentive Travel
58.0% International Convention
41.4% Product Launch 
35.7% Business Travel
35.0% Exhibitions

6. Hosted Buyer Findings
94% of Hosted Buyers agreed that ‘AIME is a must attend event’
96% said they intended to place, or possibly place business with exhibitors.
81% were ‘very satisfied’ to ‘extremely satisfied’ with AIME in terms of meeting their objectives.

Hosted Buyers to AIME were most interested in exhibitors from the following regions: Australia (91%); Asia region (56%); UK / Europe (12%); North America (9%).

7. Main benefits of the Hosted Buyer Programme
35% Networking
18% New product information and trends
15% Pre-scheduled appointments
12% Meet suppliers
10% New Contacts

8. Trade Visitor Findings
94% of trade visitors said they were satisfied that their attendance at AIME 2003 had helped them to meet their business objectives
50% of the trade visitors who responded had visited AIME 2002
65% said that they would attend AIME 2004

9. Trade Visitors’ Main Reasons for Attending AIME
53.2% to look for new products
49.6% to keep up with industry trends
44.0% to look for new / alternative suppliers
36.8% to network
29.6% to make purchasing decisions and source product

Trade visitors to AIME 2003 were most interested in seeing exhibitors from: Australia (80%); Asia (40%); Europe (29%); America (27%).

10. Number of Events Organised Per Year by AIME 2003 Trade Visitors
1 – 2 17%
3 – 5 19.8%
5 – 10 18.7%
Over 10 44.5%

11. Annual budget of Trade Visitors who attended AIME 2003
Annual Budget Percentage
None 14.6%
Under US $250,000 38.4%
US $250,001 - $500,000 17.9%
US $500,001 - $1,000,000 10.8%
US $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 11.6%
US $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 2.6%
US $10,000,000 + 4.1%
Total 100%

12. Business Results for AIME 2003
Hosted Buyers placed or will place, business valued on average at US $242,364.

Total business placed, or to be placed by Hosted Buyers is estimated at US $80,222,484. 

Estimated value of expenditure by trade visitors is US $720 million.

Total estimated value of business placed, or to be placed as a result of AIME 2003 is US $800 million.

13. Destinations Hosted Buyers want to see more of at AIME
China and South East Asia, America and South America, Europe, South Africa and Vanuatu.

14. Products Hosted Buyers want to see more of at AIME
Adventure and eco tourism, decor designers and promotional companies, theming and entertainment companies, airlines and cruise lines. 

15. Industry sectors our exhibitors are looking for
Pharmaceutical, finance/insurance/property, electronics/communication/IT, automotive and management.

16. Exhibitors want to see Asia buyers from: 
Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Korea.

17. Exhibitors want to see European buyers from:
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands.

“We will be targeting these market sectors and regions to ensure the right buyers and sellers attend AIME 2004,” Ms Sama said.

In 2003 AIME increased its airline support thanks to new airline partners Singapore Airlines, Virgin Blue, Air Tahiti and Air Pacific. “We are working with these partners and Qantas, who has supported AIME for many years, to gain greater benefits for visitors, Hosted Buyers and exhibitors for AIME 2004.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is also working with industry experts in many countries who can assist with recruitment and qualification of top industry buyers for AIME.

In Europe

· RTE will work with its UK Advisory Board to secure and qualify buyers from Europe, including emerging markets.

· An industry representative from Asia will also join the UK Advisory Board. 

In North America and Canada

· Ian Dockrill, RTE’s Director Global Industry Relations and Strategic Development, MICE Events, will assist with buyer recruitment.

· RTE will also utilize services of qualifying agents and intermediaries for 2004.

In Asia

· A new marketing campaign will be launched to attract Asian buyers to AIME and RTE will work closely with Pacific World, a leader in the Asian market, who will assist with buyer recruitment throughout China, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

In Australia

· The marketing Programme for Australia will target the buyers that AIME sellers wish to see. Tools used include face-to-face networking, telemarketing, direct mail, magazine advertising and joint invitations with exhibitors and sponsors.

“Another new initiative for AIME 2004 is the Asian Buyer Programme. This special Programme will address the needs of Asian Hosted Buyers, providing special pre and post touring with interpreting services. The programme will also include, for the first time, an Asian Business Summit to be held during AIME.”

Ms Sama said that the successful Association Buyer Programme will continue in 2004. Association buyers increased by 12% under this Programme, which included special seminars for association executives. 

“AIME is a very strong industry event, and RTE is committed to a Programme of continual enhancement and development of the event.”