The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has revealed two dynamic keynote speakers for its highly anticipated 2025 Knowledge Program, set to take place in February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
This year’s program, themed “We Matter!”, emphasizes the significant role of the global business events industry as a catalyst for economic growth, while highlighting the critical link between personal wellbeing, innovation, and industry success.
Dr. Kristy Goodwin, a neuro-performance scientist and award-winning author, is one of the featured speakers. Sponsored by Ovations!, her keynote, Powered-Up Performers: The Neuroscience of Sustainable Peak Performance in a Digital Age, will provide attendees with insights into enhancing productivity, managing stress, and optimizing energy in today’s fast-paced digital environment.
Dr. Goodwin will introduce brain-based micro-habits that event professionals can incorporate into their daily routines to maintain peak performance and wellbeing.
“I’ll share simple micro-habits that event professionals can integrate into their daily lives to become a high-res, powered-up version of themselves,” says Dr. Goodwin. “Wellbeing is essential for anyone who wants to continue driving growth in the events industry.”
Joining Dr. Goodwin is Gus Balbontin, the former executive director and CTO of Lonely Planet. Known for his disruptive approach to innovation, Balbontin will push attendees to embrace discomfort as the starting point for creative breakthroughs. Sponsored by ICMI, his keynote, Adapt, promises to challenge the audience to rethink how they approach innovation and to reconnect with the rebellious mindset that fosters transformative ideas.
“I’m excited to challenge them, to provoke fresh thinking, and help them reconnect with the rebellious mindset that fuels innovation,” says Balbontin. “I always say to the audience, if I don’t make you uncomfortable, you’re not going to learn anything new.”
The AIME 2025 Knowledge Program is expected to draw over 1,500 global event professionals, offering a platform to explore cutting-edge insights, strategies, and trends that impact the business events industry. Hosted by BEAMexperience founder El Kwang, the program promises to set new benchmarks in content leadership and learning opportunities.
“This year’s dynamic speakers underpin our ambition to craft a superior and pertinent Knowledge Program that builds on past successes, sets new standards in content leadership, and solidifies AIME’s reputation as the quintessential hub for gathering and learning,” says Kwang.
AIME Event Director Silke Calder expressed excitement over the caliber of speakers, emphasizing how the Knowledge Program continues to be a cornerstone of AIME’s mission to enhance education and professional growth for event professionals.
“We are thrilled to have such inspirational and exciting speakers to launch the Knowledge Program at AIME 2025. Each year the Knowledge Program continues to grow and is a key programming element of AIME, which bolsters our commitment to furthering education and professional growth opportunities for our industry,” says Calder.
The full AIME 2025 Knowledge Program will be announced in the coming weeks, with expectations high for another exceptional year of learning and networking opportunities for professionals in the events industry.
AIME 2025 will take place from February 10-12 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The Knowledge Program will be open to Hosted Buyers, Hosted Media, Exhibitors, and Visitor Buyers who upgrade their tickets.
