AIME ANNOUNCES NEW HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME

Reed Travel Exhibitions has launched its new Hosted Buyer Programme for AIME 2002 -The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo - the key event for the business travel, incentive, conference and exhibition industry in the southern hemisphere.

More than 300 international and Australian buyers are hosted to attend AIME each year, to see a wide range of product from predominantly the Asia Pacific region, but also from a growing number of exhibitors from the northern hemisphere. AIME 2001 included 601 exhibitors and product and services from 62 destinations. And, the diversity of product is something that continues to attract key buyers. More than 84% of hosted delegates rated the diversity of product available at AIME 2001 as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ and 74.4% hosted delegates wish to attend the next AIME.

For AIME 2002, Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced some exciting new initiatives for the Hosted Buyer Programme. The new initiatives include: a new three tiered system of buyers, fine-tuning of the pre-scheduled appointment system, a new Online Diary System for buyers and an option to increase the number of appointments per day.

The initiatives are in direct response to feedback obtained from a survey of delegates, hosted delegates and exhibitors at AIME 2001.

“Following the survey we looked at ways to fine-tune some of the features of the show and to increase business opportunities for all participants,” said Gabrielle Stephens, AIME Exhibition Manager.

The result is an extended Pre-Scheduled Appointment (PSA) programme that includes three tiers of buyers: Hosted buyers, who are fully hosted and involved in the PSA programme; Semi-hosted buyers, who are hosted on the ground and involved with the PSA programme; and Trade buyers, who are not hosted for travel or accommodation, but will now be able to qualify for the PSA programme. Trade buyers may be from anywhere throughout the world.

The PSA programme is a system whereby appointments are arranged for buyers and sellers based on mutual choice and availability of both parties during the appointment time.

“The survey revealed that sometimes the appointments do not include a particular buyer or seller the delegate or exhibitor wishes to see. For AIME 2001 we introduced a ‘seller meet buyer’ session, which was extremely popular. At AIME 2002 we will compliment this session with an Online Diary System, allowing buyers to establish additional meetings with sellers,” Ms Stephens said.

The Internet-based Online Diary System will enable buyers to log on and view their pre-scheduled appointments approximately two weeks prior to AIME 2002. They can then select additional sellers they would like to see and log an appointment request, which will be accepted or denied. In addition, AIME will also give those on the PSA Programme the option of scheduling extra appointments outside the mandatory time slots if desired.

PSA Exhibitors will also be able to log on and view their appointments prior to the AIME. They then have the opportunity of adding appointments at the ‘seller meet buyer’ session.

“We have also looked at ways to help build the number of buyers attending AIME. We are asking PSA Exhibitors to provide us with names of potential or key buyers they would like included in the hosted buyer programme. If the buyers qualify and attend AIME 2002, the exhibitor will be given an appointment with the buyer at the show. “

Exhibitors, delegates and buyers will be able to access and lodge their preferences for PSAs over the Internet.

Anyone interested in joining the Hosted Buyer Programme should contact Reed Travel Exhibitions.

AIME 2002 will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday, 19th & 20th February. AIME is renowned as a showcase of the very best of Australia and the Asia Pacific under the one roof, including accommodation, conference and exhibition venues, incentive travel deals and other products associated with the MICE industry.