The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), which returns to Melbourne, Australia, 9-11 February, has revealed the theme, location and details of its keenly anticipated 2026 Welcome Event.
The big welcome will take place on Monday 9 February at Evoqé, Melbourne. Titled Aimagination, the opening night celebration invites attendees to step into an emotional experience at Evoqé on Queen Street.
A white or soft neutral dress code will set the visual tone as more than 2,200 global business events professionals are expected to attend the opening celebration. A surprise headliner performance is promised at 9pm.
The Welcome Event will be attended by Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners and industry VIPs, with Visitor Buyers able to attend by upgrading their ticket.
AIME event director Silke Calder said: “The Welcome Event is an important opportunity to bring the AIME community together in a meaningful and fun way.
“Aimagination is about stepping outside the expected and opening the door to new ideas, new conversations and new possibilities. It is bold, immersive and unmistakably AIME, and we cannot wait to welcome our industry friends from around the world to experience it for themselves.”
Evoqé managing director Brad Dabbs added that the venue was not a static space. “Evoqé unfolds as you move through it, revealing moments that feel playful, immersive and a little unexpected.
“Aimagination celebrates bold ideas and creative thinking, and hosting it at Evoqé allows the venue itself to become part of the story. We can’t wait to welcome the global events community and invite them into an experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but is serious about leaving a lasting impression.”
AIME 2026 will run 9 -11 February 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), with organisers expecting 5,000 attendees from across the global business events industry.
