Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), the trade convention for the meetings and events industry in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, has released new insights on the success of the show, recently held in Melbourne in March. New industry research has revealed that buyers placed/expect to place $120M in business as a result of their attendance at AIME 2022. This is a 20 per cent increase on 2020 (pre-Covid).

95 per cent of exhibitors cited AIME 2022 as an important event for their business, with over 94 per cent stating they were impressed with their return on investment. Furthermore, 95 per cent of delegates agree AIME is the place to make important business connections, namely due to its great atmosphere (83%) and strong reputation (81%).

Endorsing the success of the 2022 event, AIME Event Director, Silke Calder said, “This year AIME defied all expectations. We’ve received incredible feedback from exhibitors and buyers from all over the world, many of whom have revived their business activities as a result of attending AIME.

“It was most rewarding to see the industry back in its natural element – networking and building relationships face-to-face – these are the things that build success and enrich us on a personal level.”

Right from the minute the first international delegates stepped through the arrivals gate, AIME owners the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) were sure to greet them with a ‘Very Melbourne Welcome’. MCB CEO Julia Swanson said: “It’s been two years since we’ve hosted an event of AIME’s calibre in the city, and with the support of the Victorian State Government, this event was the first real opportunity to show the world that Melbourne is back in action and ready for business.”

Across the three-day event, the energy on the show floor maintained high spirits, with new relationships forged and old friendships reignited. With over 1,660 visitor buyers and suppliers in attendance, the show also included over 230 exhibitors, and a further 320 hosted buyers present.