Australasia
AIME 2026 opens in Melbourne with record exhibitor and buyer numbers
Asia Pacific MICE industry trade show AIME opened its 2026 edition in Melbourne, recording record growth in buyers and exhibitors. Delivered by Talk2 Media & Events, AIME 2026 is the largest show delivered under event director Silke Calder and her team. Calder joined the official opening press conference, 9 February, together with Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media & Events; Julia Swanson, CE...
Brisbane and Gold Coast joint forces to attract booming India travel market
Brisbane and the Gold Coast have launched dedicated trade representation in India to help drive visitation and accelerate Queensland’s visitor economy. Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), Brisbane Airport and Experience Gold Coast have appointed an in-market representative to convert rising demand into visitation. India is one of Australia’s top five international visitor markets, with Qu...
NZICC awarded Qualmark Gold
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has been awarded Qualmark Gold under Qualmark’s Sustainable Tourism Business criteria, following an independent assessment ahead of its official opening on 11 February. Qualmark is New Zealand’s official quality assurance mark for tourism businesses, recognising excellence across sustainability, safety and visitor experience. The NZICC assess...
A bold move pays off: CAPA chooses Cairns, Australia for international summit
When a globally recognised aviation summit breaks tradition and selects a regional city over a capital, it represents more than a change of venue – it signals confidence, capability and vision. Cairns, Tropical North Queensland, Australia didn’t just host the CAPA Airline Leader Summit; it showcased what regional destinations can achieve on the world stage. From chance encounter to host considerat...
AIME 2026 ready to rock its Welcome Event at Evoqé, Melbourne
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 St...
Melbourne wins world’s largest lung cancer conference in 2029
Melbourne is set to host the 2029 World Conference on Lung Cancer, presented by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). The world’s largest international gathering in the field, the conference will unite experts, advocates and healthcare professionals from across the globe among an estimated 6,500 delegates from 100 countries. Host venue will be the Melbourne Convention...
Australasia’s ‘longest established’ PCO celebrates Diamond Jubilee
ICMSA, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Christchurch, and which claims to be Australasia’s longest-established Professional Conference Organiser, is celebrating 60 years in business. The agency was founded on 28 January, 1966, and current owner and CEO Emma Bowyer (pictured) thanked all previous directors, current and past staff, as well as the company’s clients, suppliers and stake...
The New Zealand ICC to host new ‘Helios’ artwork
SkyCity has welcomed the rising of ‘Helios’ to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). It is the first time the large-scale artwork by internationally celebrated British artist Luke Jerram, will have been in New Zealand. Measuring six metres in diameter, Helios is a touring, internally illuminated sculpture of the Sun, featuring detailed imagery of its surface. Created using a fu...
New Zealand International Convention Centre to host public open day
SkyCity will, for the first time, welcome visitors to The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland on Saturday, 21 February 2026. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the NZICC’s new spaces and experience the scale of this landmark venue. The building will be open for general ticketed admission walkthroughs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors will be able to experien...
IAPCO EDGE Auckland set to unlock next level of professional education at new NZICC
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) will bring its flagship EDGE education programme to Auckland, New Zealand, 16-19 March 2026. PCOs and business events professionals from around the world will be welcomed to an immersive, masterclass-style training programme at the highly anticipated New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). A high-impact educatio...
Cairns & Great Barrier Reef experiences transform business events
Match your nature with the nature of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef where transformational experiences take incentive groups deeper. Dive into First Nations culture on the Great Barrier Reef, spend time recalibrating in the world’s oldest living rainforest, or elevate teambuilding on crystal-clear rapids as delegates work together white-water rafting. Leave business events transformed, not just w...
BESydney secures record AUD$252 million in future events
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) closed out 2025 securing the greatest number of future events in a single calendar year in the company’s 55-year history. During this record-breaking year, the business events bidding specialists secured 81 business events that will attract around 59,000 delegates, staying a total of 253,000 days and generating more than AUD$252 million in future direct expenditur...