There’s just one day left until Asia Pacific’s biggest MICE exhibition – AIME 2015 opens its doors in Melbourne.
Visitors, Hosted Buyers and Exhibitors can all expect a bigger and better show than ever.
Meetings, conferences, incentives and events industry professionals can expect a completely new AIME (Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo) as the event takes its offerings to the next level, aiming to provide more networking and development opportunities than ever.
Taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on 24 and 25 February, the Expo is the most anticipated event in the Southern Hemisphere for meetings professionals to network, learn and conduct business.
Big and exciting changes coming to this year’s event.
AIME 2015 will feature more than 700 Exhibitors from around the globe representing business events, global destinations and travel, all of whom will be showcasing their products and services across the two days. AIME has also redesigned its show floor, program and overall show experience, to ensure that the 2015 Expo is the most inspiring and interactive event yet. Jacqui Timmins, Exhibition Director at AIME and CIBTM, said the new initiatives will reinvent the traditional format of exhibitions.
“After 23 years, it was time to shake things up a bit and we are very excited with the developments we’ve made to the show. We are committed to ensuring we provide the absolute best in terms of imagination, innovation and interaction for our attendees.”
Jacqui Timmins, AIME and CIBTM Exhibition Director “We closely listen to the feedback of our attendees each year and have therefore totally refreshed the show floor, expanded the Knowledge program and added networking opportunities into the social programs.” AIME 2015 is designed to give attendees the best experience possible, including a wide range of new activities intended to support both personal and professional development:
New Community Hub: A state-of-the-art and interactive networking centre situated at the heart of the show. Covering over a huge 600sqm, the Hub will include four key areas to ensure attendees find what they need in terms of Business, Education, Inspiration and Networking.
New show floor: The show floor will now be grouped into specific categories such as geographic regions, hotels, venues, and products and services, allowing attendees and Buyers to easily find what they are looking for.
Business networking opportunities: With feedback from previous AIME shows highlighting the importance of ‘face-time,’ promoting networking opportunities is at the core of this year’s event. This includes a new Movers and Shakers Event, which will gather more than 1,000 Hosted Buyers and Exhibitors and provide delegates with the perfect opportunity to network informally on the Tuesday. The traditional networking hour, which takes place on Wednesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, will give attendees the chance to enjoy informal networking drinks with Exhibitors at their stands.
The AIME Gala Dinner is another new addition to the networking program. Moving to a new event style of a sit-down dinner, theming and entertainment, the AIME Gala Dinner will create the ultimate evening of networking and fun in a more intimate and relaxed environment. The event will be hosted at a distinctly Melbourne, yet-to-be revealed waterfront events hub to reflect the city’s reputation as an energetic, vibrant and creative place.
“The change comes with a view of creating the most valuable experience for our AIME attendees. Holding our major networking function at the end of AIME means buyers and sellers can continue the conversations and relationships developed during the previous two days.”
Karen Bollinger, Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO
A LIST Open House: The A LIST Guide will be bringing the A LIST Open House to AIME for the third year in row, providing attendees with a dedicated area where they can meet and network directly with event suppliers of all sizes to gain inspiration for their own events.
AIME Knowledge: The AIME Knowledge program promises to inspire and provide essential professional and personal expertise with topics covering business technologies, industry trends, leadership and creativity.
AIME Knowledge this year will feature presentations from Craig Davis, Carolyn Miller, Vinh Giang, Wendy Mak and James Adonis.
50 years of Saxton: Australia’s first and foremost speakers’ bureau, Saxton will celebrate 50 years at with Australia Speaks at AIME 2015 featuring twenty two of Australia’s most renowned and influential speakers and performers, including Ita Buttrose, Mark Bouris, Layne Beachley, Tim Cope, Megan Quinn, and Rachel Botsman.
MCEC Open Space: World renowned speakers will take to the stage for MCEC’s third annual Open Space event on the Thursday 26 February following AIME. Global thought leader Rachel Botsman and digital strategist Chris Riddell will headline the free public event taking place during AIME with talks on innovation and technology.