2024 Event Program

Global media, VIPs and industry leaders are invited to the opening press conference. Headlined by the CEOs of Melbourne Convention Bureau and Talk2 Media & Events, AIME's official press conference will take place at the BBC Earth Experience and provides invited media with the latest news on AIME 2024, whilst also setting the scene for the days ahead. Media are invited to a Q&A with industry leaders and also have the opportunity to schedule interviews.

Open to Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners and VIPs. Visitor Buyers can upgrade their ticket to attend the Knowledge Program for $250+gst which includes morning, afternoon tea, lunch and Knowledge Program sessions on Monday 19 Feb. Presented by the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

Open to Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners and VIPs. Visitor Buyers can upgrade their ticket to attend the Official Opening and Knowledge Program for $250+gst which includes morning, afternoon tea, lunch and Knowledge Program sessions on Monday 19 Feb. Presented by the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

Leadership and culture in an era of glocalisation Every global organisation grapples with how to apply and adapt an overall strategy to local nuances and cultural differences. In tackling this challenge I will discuss the importance of empathy, strong and inspirational leadership, and active listening. I will also talk about the ingredients for a high performance culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The principles of good leadership
2. How to start improving your culture
3. Examples of organisations that are getting the global and local mix right

Unlocking Your Limitless Potential: The Passion Effect with Seb Terry From disengaged and stagnant, to purpose-driven and fully-activated, prepare to unlock limitless possibilities with this highly entertaining, interactive and actionable keynote session. Blending his dynamic Passion Effect framework with his incredible personal story, Seb Terry will profoundly inspire you to create a ripple effect of change that will shift mindset, inspire action and transform your life in and out of the workplace.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Leveraging passion as a driving force for personal and professional development
2. Connecting human potential with organizational vision
3. Creating environments to cultivate connection, engagement and transformation

In the high-stakes world of sales, leaders and professionals often grapple with the pressures of targets, competition, and the constant need for innovation. Diane Demetre's presentation, "From Pressure2Profit: Mastering your M.E.S. for Sales Success," offers a groundbreaking approach to these challenges.

The Gartner Sales Survey concluded that almost 90% of sales professionals feel burnt out. With rates of depression and anxiety being three times higher than those of their non-sales peers, Diane unveils the secrets to thriving in the competitive sales arena. Her session is a masterclass in Mastering your M.E.S. (Mindset, Energy, and Skills) crafted to revolutionize your approach to sales success.

Diane's dynamic style and real-world stories inspire attendees to harness their inner sales master, driving passion, productivity, and profits in the sales domain. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey with Diane, where you'll learn to Dare to Shine, Align, and Thrive in the world of sales.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Cultivate a master luminary mindset, essential for navigating the complex sales landscape.
2. Harness transformative energy to align personal goals with professional sales targets.
3. Master innovative sales skills, strategies, and systems for unparalleled success.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Ideal for forward-thinking professionals and leaders eager to innovate and achieve exceptional results through transformative action.

Our industry knows we must act on climate change. We have responded by developing the biggest, most inclusive collaboration ever seen in our industry - the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) Pledge. The initiative is the events industry’s global campaign to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 – at the latest.

Hosted by Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and supported by the United Nations, NZCE is supported globally by over 600 businesses from across our sector. Join this session to hear from UFI's CEO, Kai Hattendorf, who will provide an overview of the key elements of the pledge, highlighting the role of the events industry in addressing climate change collectively. Kai will then be joined by a panel of local practitioners who will share their journey as signatories to the pledge, providing tangible tips.

The panel will answer questions and address challenges to help audience members along their own emissions reduction journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. An understanding of the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge and what it means to become a signatory.
2. How the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge relates to the Asia Pacific?
3. The benefits and challenges associated with committing to net zero emissions.
4. How to start your net zero emissions journey?

TARGET AUDIENCE

Venues, organisers, service providers, associations, suppliers and destinations

In this captivating keynote, "Culture of COURAGE: For Thriving Workforces - Everywhere,” the audience embarks on a transformative journey to enhance workplace culture. Delving into the intricacies of fostering courage within local and global teams, this session explores the shared humanity that binds us all.

By addressing the pressing issue of the 50 million people currently living in modern slavery, you will be inspired to channel our collective courage into meaningful action. Through compelling insights and actionable strategies, you will gain a profound understanding of how cultivating a Culture of COURAGE not only uplifts your immediate work environment but also contributes to a global movement against modern slavery.

As we look out at the needs of others, our own lives are enriched, fostering connection and purpose in our workplaces. This empowering message inspires individuals to champion change, fortify workplace cultures, and make a positive impact on a global scale. Together, we can see thriving workplaces – everywhere.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. How to Cultivate a Culture of COURAGE in your workplace? - Practical tips for your workplace.
2. What does a thriving workplace look like?
3. How to be an agent for change in the fight against modern slavery.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This session is ideal for anyone thinking about how to inspire purpose into their own teams, and how to bring more of the S in ESG into their events.

AI is not just a buzzword, but a powerful tool that can help you achieve your event goals and challenges. Whether you are a meeting planner or a business event supplier, you need to know how to leverage AI to generate income, increase profitability, and create operational efficiencies. In this interactive workshop, you will learn from the experts and the case studies of Project Spark, an AI research and development partnership between Gevme and PCMA. You will also discover how AI can enhance the human connections and the social impact of your events. Are you ready to join the AI revolution? Register now and don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and network with your peers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Identify the best AI tools and solutions for your event goals and challenges
2. Implement AI strategies and best practices to optimise your event performance and ROI
3. Evaluate the impact and value of AI on your event outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction

TARGET AUDIENCE

This session is suitable for event planners, business event suppliers, and anybody interested in learning and applying AI to events.

This session is for people who have a strong desire to positively change the world but aren’t sure how they can do it at work. If you have a passion for a local or global issue, this session is for you. You will learn how you can influence your team to make a difference and how to identify and align your personal values with those of your clients to ensure your events are designed to make a positive impact.

Junior team members will learn how to have a positive voice of influence while more senior professionals and managers will learn how to uncover the secret superpowers that exist in their teams that will boost productivity and job satisfaction. Join this session to tap into one of the industry’s most strategic and creative thinkers to help you find your purpose in your events career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. You will leave the session with a blueprint on how you can tap into your core values to connect and align with your team members.
2. You will learn how to uncover the core values of your clients and business partners and strategically align them to your own core values.
3. Once aligned, you will learn how to design experiences that change the world in a positive way.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This session is suitable for event professionals at all levels who have a strong desire to change the world but aren’t sure where to start.

Event management is one of the five most stressful professions in the world, and after the last few years of getting by, bouncing back and sometimes ‘barely managing’, it’s time to thrive, not just survive! Join this interactive workshop and learn how to be the best you can possibly be in 2024. If you work in events, you love endlessly spinning plates and deadlines – but does it have to mean constantly high blood pressure? The best events are those that seamlessly glide along like a swan on a lake with barely a ripple to announce their arrival. Learn how to be that swan – calm, graceful and delivering a thing of beauty and amazement wherever you go - without losing your S#%T! Pro-tip – it has a lot to do with stress management!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Gain a deeper understanding of the good type of stress and how you and others deal with stressful situations
2. Learn how a fighter pilot thrives in extreme environments – and constantly improves results
3. Walk away with clear actions, a strategy and tool kit to become your best in 2024

TARGET AUDIENCE

Event industry professionals wanting to grow, learn and excel, overcome negative stress, and reach their best in 2024.

**Invitation Only Event ** The Australian Business Events Association was formed in July 2023 to represent the full spectrum of the business events industry, being the one body to unify the sector, and provide dynamic networking, education, conferences, events, programs and advocacy. Attracting talent, working with government, promoting the industry as a career option, and being a world leader in sustainability amongst industry peers will be critical to the industry’s success.

For an industry that does an incredible job at delivering outstanding experiences we haven’t quite nailed how best to market ourselves.

The Leadership Forum will bring together invited industry leaders and other key stakeholders to interactively work on refining our proposition in the areas of talent, government advocacy, sustainability and more. This is not a ‘talking at’ session, participants need to bring their voice and opinions.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Guests invited by the Australian Business Events Association

Open to Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners and VIPs. Visitor Buyers can upgrade their ticket to attend the Knowledge Program for $250+gst which includes morning, afternoon tea, lunch and Knowledge Program sessions on Monday 19 Feb. Presented by the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

How will we top this next year? It’s both the ultimate compliment and the ultimate challenge for all Incentive Practitioners. Our clients desire an exceptional & unique experience that creates a sense of unity and shared commitment, in a unique environment characterised by inclusivity & cultural sustainability. In a climate where demand continues to increase but budgets don’t, how do we achieve this?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Current trends & expectations in the Corporate Incentive space, drawing from SITE Global research
2. How to exceed end-client expectations when there’s no budget increase?
3. How to work with destinations to provide a ‘new’ experience?

TARGET AUDIENCE

This session is suitable for Incentive Practitioners who plan domestic, inbound & outbound Incentive programs. And for suppliers to the incentive sector including destinations (CVB) and product.

Participate in this engaging session, where you will learn how to incorporate important social responsibility needs into your RFP’s that you send to hotels and venues. Consider ways that you can align your own organization’s social goals with measurable questions and expectations for the venues you ask to bid for your business!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. You will consider the current landscape related to Social Responsibility at Events.
2. Understand the important role you play in raising awareness and furthering investment in this important area.
3. Break down and evaluate each of the categories covering this broad segment.
4. Learn how to use the IACC supplied template to cut and paste those venue credentials you seek for your future meetings.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This session is a must attend for meeting planners who hold the environmental and social credentials of the venues they place their meetings in, in high regard

In an ever-changing world where companies are recognising that purpose needs to no longer be on the periphery of their strategy but at its core to thrive, there are still many unanswered questions. How do you integrate meaningful purpose into corporate purpose, engaging both your employees and customers while driving profitable growth? It had been shown time and time again that the most successful companies who put purpose at their core are able to redefine the playing field and reshape their value proposition, overcoming the challenges of slowing growth and declining profits.

We have seen an acceleration in the divide between purposeful businesses and those that have not made the shift, a trend which is gathering momentum and will continue to do so as we navigate a shifting landscape across talent, customers, shareholders, stakeholders and the communities in which we operate as businesses.

Purpose Drives People. People Build Communities. Communities Change The World and the world of business is the greatest opportunity to create impact with MICE being the one of the critical launchpads to create true and long lasting change.

The session will include live stories, an understanding of the role MICE does and can play to create change and how being creating meaningful environmental and social impact solutions you will also drive a more engaged audience and build brand advocacy in the process.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Creating relevant Purpose focused MICE content.
2. Purpose is not sustainability and to win the hearts and minds of your audience you have to start with Purpose.
3. Creating competitive advantage with Purpose in MICE.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Decision makers across events, marketing and strategic content developers looking to create impactful events with strategic and actionable outcomes.

Discover the latest in social media strategy to supercharge your campaigns in 2024. This workshop will focus on the fundamentals required to create a successful social media marketing campaign in 2024 and some key industry secrets and principles that are often left out of educational material on social media marketing!

In this workshop, we’ll focus on your return on investment, understanding Key Performance Indicators, what metrics are vital for success and what goes into creating a successful model for success in social media marketing. We’ll also look at the latest trends in algorithms and platforms for 2024. This workshop is a must-attend for any keen marketer or business owner looking for tangible results in an ever-evolving competitive landscape, presented by an award-winning industry leader.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. How to successfully set KPIs for a social media campaign?
2. What is the best way to work your social media strategy to ensure success?
3. What is the one metric that will catapult your campaign to success, and it's not what you think!

TARGET AUDIENCE

This workshop is created for business owners/leaders interested in building their knowledge of a key growth channel and as well as marketing professionals who feel they are not achieving suitable results on their social media marketing and has questions about how to make it more viable as a marketing channel.

Dive into the transformative realm of event planning, business pitching, association conference bidding, where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) merge seamlessly with ICCA's power. Join us for an immersive session that unravels the secret sauce behind development and the creation of robust social capital. From shaping experiences to fostering inclusivity, witness the magic unfold as we redefine the landscape from “I to we”.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. People Amplification: Gain insights into innovative strategies for cross community, industry collaboration and talent development specific to the intricacies of success of bidding.
2. Social Capital Mastery: Explore the dynamics of building and leveraging social capital within events, understanding how to create meaningful connections and networks that extend beyond the event space.
3. DEI in Action: Acquire practical skills in incorporating DEI principles into your teamwork, business pitch, event planning, ensuring inclusivity, diversity, and equity are not just buzzwords but integral elements shaping the success of your gatherings.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This session open to all professionals with the passion in shaping the future and value of business events.

Conferences are back! The face to face interaction with inspirational speakers, delivering information and guidance to C-Suite executives, businesses and clients is effective and valued by all who attend. 2024 is shaping up with a mixed picture for the economy - some sectors will be doing well, others will be under pressure. Which ones? As a conference organiser, what are the prime targets? Tourism? Retail? Construction? Superannuation? Defence? Real Estate? Personal care? Health? And what to look for?

Business plans can unravel or indeed get boosted because of changes in the economy. Unexpected interest rate hikes, tax reforms and changes in government policy are often unpredictable. Or are they? Of course, clients must focus on their business - they are the experts and entrepreneurs, but keep an eye on factors outside your control.

Be alert to what is happening outside. It could make or break you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Which sectors conference organisers should target.
2. Don't forget the 'big picture' economy is vital to what you do.
3. What economic and policy changes are in store for 2024.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Ideal for senior management and their staff, decision makers, business planners, C-Suite executives.

**Invitation Only Event ** The Australian Business Events Association was formed in July 2023 to represent the full spectrum of the business events industry, being the one body to unify the sector, and provide dynamic networking, education, conferences, events, programs and advocacy. Attracting talent, working with government, promoting the industry as a career option, and being a world leader in sustainability amongst industry peers will be critical to the industry’s success.

For an industry that does an incredible job at delivering outstanding experiences we haven’t quite nailed how best to market ourselves.

The Leadership Forum will bring together invited industry leaders and other key stakeholders to interactively work on refining our proposition in the areas of talent, government advocacy, sustainability and more. This is not a ‘talking at’ session, participants need to bring their voice and opinions.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Guests invited by the Australian Business Events Association

Something is lighting up the AIME 2024 horizon and it's neon bright. Don't miss AIME's Welcome Event, an exclusive evening open to Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners, and VIPs. Visitor Buyers can elevate their experience by upgrading their ticket to join the Welcome Event for $220+GST. Immerse yourself in this exceptional gathering and make the most of your time at AIME.