AIME 2019 Success
14 March 2019 • AIME News
“There is no economic transformation without social transformation” Sherrif Karamat, President & CEO, PCMA
Last month we launched the reimagined Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event. We want to thank you for helping us build this dream, and coming on the journey to deliver a meaningful event for the meetings events industry.
We understood the real desire for change at AIME and feel confident that we have begun the transformation of AIME – both in economic and social terms.
The AIME community was made up of over 2500 attendees from across 38 different countries including 300 exhibiting companies, 350 hosted buyers, visitors, media and students.
Together we Exchanged our Ideas and Experiences
Proudly supported by MCB, our Major Sponsor of the Knowledge Program, AIME kicked off with the Knowledge Exchange on Monday 18 February. Up to 700 buyers, exhibitors, media and guests immersed across 14 shared and streamed sessions.
Working closely with our Strategic Education Partner, PCMA, as well as ICCA, SITE, Saxton and MEA we came together to set the tone of curiosity, engagement, provocation and community, forging the foundations for the two trading days (and nights) ahead.
New Connections and Friendships were Created
In 2019 we created more opportunities to network, both on and off the floor. After the Monday Knowledge Exchange 1,200 of us came together to the thrum of Japanese Taiko drums at the Atlantic Groups’ Peninsula, drifting in and out of doors and to the floating desert room, forging new friendships. We strengthened these connections with an additional evening, networking under the Melbourne skies celebrating Asian Street Food as we tossed about tokens, noodles and laughter, well into the night.
More New Business was Delivered on the Exhibitor Floor
With 350 Hosted Buyers and nearly 700 Visitor Buyers there was more opportunity to make new connections, build prospects, opportunities and place business.
Each exhibitor enjoyed 32 matched pre-scheduled appointments. The stands were buzzing with around 8,400 formal appointments and countless walk up opportunities. Exhibitors have told us they met with new buyers, and buyers from destinations they had not previously had interest from. This is the measurable return on your investment in AIME.
Tuning in with Congress Rentals
If you didn’t attend the Ideas Academy, chances are you didn’t notice the sessions going on as they were supported by Congress Rental’s Silent Conference solution.
Over two days multiple speakers, panel presentations and Q & A sessions educated attendees in a curtained space, with audio delivered through individual headsets. Nearby exhibitors weren’t disrupted as the headphones replaced the usual loud PA speakers. An attendee remarked “It made the session fun and intimate.” A speaker also commented there were noticeably fewer attendees on their phone. With the flexibility, uniqueness and capacity to run up to 32 simultaneous channels – the only limit is your imagination.
We would like to thank our partners, Congress Rental. congressrental.com.au
See you all at AIME 2020, 17 – 19 February.