The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event – AIME 2024 is set to be the largest gathering in a decade, promising a spectacular showcase for the international business events community.
This event, taking place in February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, is preparing to welcome a record-breaking number of participants, including over 600 buyers from across the globe, about 3500 visitor buyers, and 570 exhibitors representing various sectors of the business events industry.
This year’s AIME marks a significant 63% increase in exhibitors compared to the 2023 event, firmly establishing it as the premier event in the Asia-Pacific region for those in the business events sector. The remarkable growth of AIME 2024 not only reflects the event’s importance in the industry but also highlights the recovering vigor of the business events sector post-COVID.
For the first time since the pandemic, AIME will see participation from international destinations like Fiji, Korea, Macau, USA, Canada, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India, Maldives, Italy, Malta, Norway, Monaco, and the UK/Ireland. They will be joining countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Africa, who are returning to AIME’s showfloor, bringing the total country representation to 33.
Silke Calder, AIME Event Director, commented on this year’s event, “Off the back of our incredible 30th anniversary AIME in 2023, this year we return even bigger and better than ever. We are excited to welcome the business events community back to Melbourne and are thrilled with the incredible support we’ve received from international destinations along with Australia’s convention bureaus – every state in Australia will be represented at AIME next month.”
The 2024 event will feature more than 600 Hosted Buyers, a 51% increase from the previous year, attracting participants from Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia, North Asia, India, USA, Canada, Europe, and the UK. This diverse representation sets the stage for a truly global business event experience.
Adding to the excitement, AIME 2024 will introduce an official podcast, produced in collaboration with the Connected Event Group, which will offer behind-the-scenes insights into the dynamic world of events. Additionally, the event will feature a dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers, The Boutique, showcasing over 20 operators offering bespoke and highly customizable experiences.
The hotel zone continues to grow, expanding 50% larger than the previous year, indicative of the post-Covid resurgence in travel. The event will also feature the Accor Hosted Buyer Lounge, the Ideas Academy, and new interactive breakout spaces.
AIME’s Knowledge Program, themed “The 4Ps of GLOCALISATION”, will feature keynote speakers Lisa Ronson and Sebastian Terry and is designed to blend global insights with local nuances. The program will commence with a networking lunch presented by the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, expressed pride in MCB’s role in advancing the business events industry through AIME. “Just like the Australian Open is the first tennis Grand Slam of the year, AIME is the first international trade show of the business events sector. We are delighted to kick start the international calendar for 2024.”
AIME 2024, running from 19 – 21 February, is more than an event; it’s a beacon for the future of global business interactions, symbolizing the industry’s resilience and adaptability.
