AIME partners with ICCA to boost APAC events industry

Sunday, 16 Mar, 2025 0

The International Congress and Conference Association (ICCA) has teamed up the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME).

The partnership is focused on the developing business opportunities to ICCA members in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and other global regions.

AIME will serve as a partner in advocacy for the international business events industry for destination enhancement.

AIME is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and is managed by Talk2 Media & Events.

ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath signed the agreement with AIME representative Matt Pearce, Director of Talk2 Media & Events, and Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, during AIME 2025 last month.

“ICCA’s partnership with AIME signifies our commitment to supporting the growth of the Asia Pacific meetings industry, which has experienced incredible growth over the past few years,” Gopinath said.

“We’re looking forward to working with APAC members to support development of meetings and events professionals in the region, including ICCASkills, business exchange workshops, advocacy and more.”

This year, the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and ICCA collaborated for a second time on the Emerging Leaders Challenge.

This programme invited emerging leaders to share ideas on the future of the business events industry.

The winner of the Emerging Leaders Challenge joined the interactive ABEA and ICCA session, held at the AIME Knowledge Program on 10 February, where discussion focused on the future growth opportunities in the sector.

ICCA also presented at the AIME Leaders Forum hosted by ABEA, which was held following AIME 2025 on 13 February.

The session provided a platform to discuss areas of advocacy focused on legacy, growth and the value of business events as well as the importance of investment and destination profiling.

AIME 2026 will be held 9–11 February 2026 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in Australia.

Planned programmes include the ICCA Business Exchange, The Bidding BootCamp, and an AIME scholarship aimed at cultivating new talent.

AIME will also have a presence at the ICCA Congress to be held in Porto, Portugal, 9-12 November, 2025.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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