Record numbers for AIME 2004

A record 700 exhibitors are to participate in AIME 2004, 12th AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo, to be held in Melbourne, Australia from 17 – 18 February.

“Exhibitor numbers are up by 53 on AIME 2003, and visitor pre-registration numbers are currently six times higher than at the same time last year,” said AIME Exhibition Manager, Rosemarie Sama.

Asia will be represented by more exhibitors and cover more space than ever before.

Thai exhibitors will cover the largest amount of space at AIME 2004, followed closely by Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

“We have had an enormous response from exhibitors from Asia, with many increasing their space, some returning to AIME, and others exhibiting for the first time,” Ms Sama said.

“Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam, China and Japan have all increased their space. Taiwan and Mongolia are exhibiting for the first time, and the Philippines is back after a short absence.”

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will be joined by 25 industry partners at the Hong Kong Stand, including Cathay Pacific Airways, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 15 of Hong Kong's leading hotels, six destination marketing companies, and for the first time Hong Kong Disneyland and AsiaWorld-Expo.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will welcome 28 co-exhibitors on its stand at AIME 2004, including Pacific World Singapore, Grand Hyatt Singapore, The Fullerton Singapore, and Bintan Lagoon Resort and Nirwana Gardens.

And while Asia will definitely make an impact at AIME, other international destinations and regions are also increasing their space, or exhibiting for the first time.

“You will also see larger stands from countries like Argentina, Spain, Canada, Sultanate of Oman and New Zealand, and new international exhibitors including Gulf Air, Gulf Ventures, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island, Beijing Tourism Bureau, Kyoto Convention Bureau, Condor Travel Peru, Philippines Airlines and Edgewater Resort from the Cook Islands,” Ms Sama said.

Regions and Bureaux that have increased the size of their stands include: Korea National Tourism Organisation, The Bali Pavilion, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Adelaide Convention & Tourism Authority, Townsville Convention Bureau, Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau, Regional Victoria Conference Group, Canadian Tourism Commission, Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau and Wellington Convention Bureau.

In addition, individual exhibitors Mirvac Hotels & Resorts, Flag Choice Hotels, and Laguna Phuket, have increased their space.

Host city Melbourne and the regional exhibitors within the State of Victoria, will also be out in force, with one of the largest stands in the exhibition.

Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau will be joined by 20 stand partners on its award-winning ‘Think Australia, Think Melbourne’ stand. Partners include Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, Victoria Meetings and Events Service, Scienceworks, The Immigration Museum, Luna Park, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, The Grand Hotel, Carlton Crest, Holiday Inn, Hotel Sofitel, Sheraton Towers, Telstra Dome, The Windsor Hotel, Lake House, Grand Hotel managed by Sofitel, Aitken Hill, Conference Consultants Australia, Hotel Enterprize, Duxton Hotel, and the new Hotel William on Bell Street.

Regional Victoria will have its largest ever presence at AIME 2004 with at least 22 stand partners.

“We have been delighted with the representation and the response from Regional Victorian partners for AIME 2004. All our participants are looking forward to a fantastic event – AIME has always achieved results,” said Deputy Chairman of Regional Victoria Conference Group (RVCG), Kevin Bourke.

First time exhibitors include Campaspe House, a country house hotel in the Macedon Ranges, surrounded by original Edna Walling designed gardens and Riverlinks Eastbank Centre, Greater Shepparton's magnificent new concert hall and function complex, also home to the Shepparton Art Gallery.

“As AIME continues to grow, the mix of exhibitors geographically is slowly changing. Previously around 70% of exhibiting companies were based in Australia, whereas at AIME 2004 around 60% of exhibitors will be Australian based.”

AIME has set a target of 400 Hosted Buyers for 2004, and has introduced new Hosted Buyer Programmes for people who live and work in Asia, for association executives and for local trade buyers.

“To date we are on schedule with the Hosted Buyer Programme. Anyone who is interested in attending AIME on this programme should contact us immediately, as places are filling fast,” Ms Sama said.

Bookings for the AIME Professional Development Seminar Programme, which includes educational sessions on incentives, meetings, conventions, special events and exhibitions, and a special speakers’ showcase, are also up on last year.

“Most of our seminars this year are free, except for the AIME Business Events Forum and the AIME Workshop, where a number of international industry leaders are being flown in to participate and share their experiences,” said Ms Sama.