Rather like the New Year sales rush, hundreds of delegates rushed through the doors on the first day of the 15th Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne, moments after the opening ribbon was cut by AIME GM Rosemary Sama, Leigh Harry, CEO of the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and newly elected President of the International Congress and Convention Association and Tom Nutley, Chairman of Reed Travel Exhibitions officially opening the show yesterday morning.
AIME is the biggest event for meeting and convention organisers in the Asia Pacific region attracting more than 2,600 visitors from 27 countries.
Taking place over just two days, a record 850 exhibiting companies representing 50 countries, including a significant contingent from Melbourne and Victoria are expected to write more than US$450 million dollars worth of business.
Mr Harry said, “AIME is a great place to showcase what Australia offers for business tourism and equally to see what is on offer in other regions”.
“We live in a vibrant and innovative part of the world and have a lot to offer the global market as a meetings destination.”
“Research shows that Australia is eighth on the international list of countries hosting international meetings, which considering our size has us punching well above our weight. We’re a tourist hot spot with world class facilities. This combined with being an English speaking country with frequent international flights makes us very desirable”.
AIME is only open today Wednesday from 10am – 5pm.
Special AIME report by The Mole
