AIME 2003 not affected by travel warnings

Recent warnings regarding travel to Asia have not affected AIME 2003, according to Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE).

Responding to queries by AIME exhibitors from Asia, AIME Sales Manager, Rosemarie Sama, said the situation has had no impact on AIME 2003, which will be held on 18 & 19 February in Melbourne, Australia.

“While we are concerned about events in the region, and we are monitoring travel warnings, AIME is strongly supported by the industry and we have had no cancellations. Bali is still exhibiting at AIME and we are assisting them in whatever way we can,” Rosemarie Sama said.

“Exhibitor numbers are expected to top the 600 mark and in terms of floorspace, we expect the exhibition to be 10% larger than AIME 2002.”

Exhibits at AIME 2003 have in fact become even more diversified, with companies participating from more than 50 destinations. They include: Austria, Australia, Bali, Bangkok, Canada, China, Chiangmai, Dubai, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Las Vegas, Macau, Malaysia, Melaka, Maldives, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Osaka, Pattaya, Russia, Sarawak, Selangor, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tokyo, Yokohama, the USA and the United Kingdom.

RTE has also implemented a strong integrated marketing program incorporating print and radio advertising, direct mail, email, telemarketing and public relations.

As well as international and national marketing, new initiatives include campaigns to increase visitor and trade buyer numbers from Sydney and Melbourne.

RTE has also introduced a special program to attract more association executives. This program includes four educational seminars featuring local and international speakers from the Australian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) and the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE).

AIME 2003 will also include two industry forums organised by ICCA and Reed Business Information Asia.

Key industry associations such as MIAA , IMA and EEAA will run seminars in the new AIME Theatre, within the exhibition.

“For AIME 2003 we have 600 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, a strong marketing campaign, support from industry and a first class education program, all the ingredients to attract visitors to the event,” said AIME Exhibition Director, David Crooke.

“Our Hosted Buyer program is on track to deliver 400 key decision makers from around the world including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and New Zealand, as well as Australian buyers.

“While we can not predict world events, we believe this is a time for the business travel industry to work together to tell the world about the benefits of business travel for meetings and events. There is nothing that can replace personal contact. That’s why companies exhibit at AIME and visitors attend AIME,” Mr Crooke said.

AIME 2003 is at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 18 & 19 February.

Bali MICE Initiative

More Bali firms than last year will take part in AIME 2003 in Melbourne according to the Bali MICE Initiative.

Bali is counting on an early return of its Australian meetings and events business and on continuing growth of regional MICE business. 

Bali MICE Guide 2003 will be featured at the Bali MICE Initiative AIME stand and mailed to over 600 Australian meetings professionals.

Bali's leading tourism professionals join forces in the Bali MICE Initiative to promote Bali's unique attributes to organisers of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions via the annual publication of the Bali MICE Guide - the Island's only comprehensive guide to meetings and conferences; joint representations at major MICE events. 

The 2002 Bali MICE Guide first edition was mailed to key MICE planners, buyers and decision makers in over 50 countries with emphasis on European and Australasian markets and with additional circulation in Asia, the Americas and elsewhere.

The 2003 mailing will cover over 70 countries and the number of individually addressed copies will double. A planned significant increase in American distribution has been put on hold and those copies plus copies from the increased 15,000 print run earmarked for a dramatic increase in regional circulation.

At 132 pages the 2003 edition is a third larger than the first edition and devotes more coverage the incentives and small meetings facilities, the less known areas of Bali and a section on Lombok.