Organisers of Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2022 have revealed that buyers placed, or expect to place, AUD$120m (US$85m) in business as a result of their attendance at the Australian show. This is an increase of 20% on AIME 2020, in the pre-pandemic times. The figure was part of a slew of insights released by organisers on the impact of its 2022 show, held in-person in Melbourne,, 21-23 March, and online, 28 March-1 April.
Out of the exhibitors that attended, 95% cited AIME 2022 as an important event for their business, with over 94% stating they were impressed with their ROI. Furthermore, 83% stated that the event had a ‘great atmosphere’ and 81% believed AIME has a ‘strong reputation’, according to the show report.
Silke Calder, event director at AIME, stated: “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.”
Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, added: “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.”
The show saw 1,660 visitor buyers and suppliers in attendance, including over 230 exhibitors, and a further 320 hosted buyers attending.
Destination Gold Coast was one of the exhibitors bringing delegates up to speed with the latest offerings and innovations the Australian coastal city has to offer. Patricia O’Callaghan, CEO of Destination Gold Coast, commented: “This year, our presence at AIME was larger than ever before as the Gold Coast cements itself as ‘The Imagination Capital of Australia’ for business events. AIME 2022 gave us the opportunity to come together as an industry to make meaningful connections – and you can’t put a price on connections.”
AIME 2023 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 13–15 February 2023. For more information, please click here.
