Strong Industry Support for AIME 2002

At a time when business travel and the meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition industries are facing major challenges, support for the Asia Pacific’s leading MICE industry event continues to grow.

AIME 2002, the 10th AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, will be held on 19 & 20 February at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC).

AIME continues to be one of the best MICE events in the world, with strong support from destinations, hotels, venues, convention bureaux, convention centres and tourism bureaux, and numerous other suppliers and services. More than 600 companies from 60 destinations are expected at AIME 2002.

Marketing Partnerships is just one AIME exhibitor that has increased its space at AIME 2002, having encouraged a large contingent of destination management companies to participate.

"We are taking increased space and will welcome new exhibitors from Europe, USA and Dubai to our stand,” said Managing Director, Dawn Wells.

Exhibitors will include: SNTTA Incentives from Dubai, Sterling Travel Associates from the UK, and repeat exhibitors including Russkie Prostori from St. Petersburg, DMT from Istanbul and Marimba Travelworks from South Africa.

"We see AIME as the most important trade show in the southern hemisphere for attracting quality buyers seeking new incentive and conference destinations,” Ms Wells said.

“At the 2001 show, we wrote excellent new business and established new relationships that are producing good results to such exciting destinations as Mauritius, Ireland and Prague. Our client list now represents destination management companies on every continent, and we will continue to encourage them all to support AIME.

Exhibitors from around the world

Destinations on show at AIME 2002 include New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Australia, Canada, California, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Bali, Macau, Malaysia, Sarawak, Thailand, Dubai, St Petersburg, Istanbul, South Africa, India, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Hawaii will again be represented at AIME, with a number of leading hotels and DCMs exhibiting on its stand. Companies participating on the Hawaii stand include Sheraton Hotels in Hawaii, Hilton Hawaiian Village and USA Hosts.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will be joined by 14 industry partners on the largest ever Hong Kong Stand at AIME 2002. Partners include Cathay Pacific Airways, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, eight of Hong Kong’s leading hotels, three destination marketing companies and for the first time, the Plaza Premium Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport.

A visit to the Destination Marketing Services (DMS) stand at AIME will be like a guided tour around the world. Exhibitors will include Cox & Kings, one of India’s most prestigious DMCs, the Bintan Lagoon Resort & Nirwana Gardens and Shackman Associates and USA Hosts, who will provide an update on the USA.

Pacific World exhibitors will include Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Bali and the company will launch its special events division.

DMS will also introduce its newest division Unique Venues. Unique Venues represents unique hotels and venues within New South Wales, including Tower Lodge & The Wine Resort in the Hunter Valley, Pacific International Waterfront Resort at The Entrance and Zest Catering at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Point Piper.

Melbourne on Show

Host city Melbourne will have its largest stand ever at AIME, with twenty Melbourne exhibitors combining on the one stand under the Melbourne banner. Melbourne will showcase its diverse product including luxury hotels, unique venues and spectacular event facilities with help from the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau in a coordinating role.

2001 Best Multi Exhibit Winner Returns

Canberra, Australia’s capital, will return to AIME with its sights firmly set on winning the Best Multi Exhibit for a second time, following its win at AIME 2001.

The Canberra stand will include the Canberra Convention Bureau (CCB) together with ten industry partners: The Australian Institute of Sport, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Parliament House, Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre, The National Museum of Australia, The National Convention Centre, Hotel Heritage, The Australian War Memorial, The Chifley on Northbourne and Castle Catering at Old Parliament House.

New Venues for Adelaide

The Adelaide stand, coordinated by the Adelaide Convention & Tourism Authority will include the new the Australian National Wine Centre and the expanded Adelaide Convention Centre.

The National Wine Centre, built in the park-like setting of Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Garden, was completed in September 2001. The Centre showcases Australian wines, winemakers and wine regions and is the headquarters of the Australian wine industry.

Following an AUD95 million dollar extension, the Adelaide Convention Centre has 7,000sqm of additional pillar less floor space, bringing the total exhibition area to 10,450sqm. This will cater to 6,600 guests banquet style in addition to the space for 1,800 guests in the existing Centre.

AIME Training Seminars

A new program of seminars on key issues for the MICE industry will be held at AIME 2002. The program has been organised by three key industry associations: the Meetings Industry Association of Australia (MIAA), the Australian Incentive Association (AIA) and the Exhibition and Events Association of Australia (EEAA).

Pre Scheduled Appointments Program

AIME 2002 has extended its Pre Scheduled Appointments (PSA) program to include three tiers of buyers: Hosted buyers, who are fully hosted and involved in the PSA program; Semi-hosted buyers, who are hosted on the ground and participate in the PSA program; and Trade buyers, not hosted for travel or accommodation, but able to qualify for the PSA program. Trade buyers may be from anywhere in the world. Anyone wishing to be part of the PSA Program can register at the AIME website or contact the AIME office on 612-9422 2500 without delay.

AIME Website

AIME has a new website which can be viewed at: https://www.aime.com.au For the latest on AIME 2002, be sure to check out the AIME website.

AIME Online

For AIME 2002 Reed Travel Exhibitions has introduced an Internet-based Online Diary System, to enable buyers to log on and view their pre-scheduled appointments approximately two weeks prior to AIME. Buyers can then select additional sellers they would like to see and log an appointment request. In addition, those on the PSA Program have the option of scheduling extra appointments outside the mandatory time slots if desired. Exhibitors, delegates and buyers will all be able to access and lodge their preferences for PSAs over the Internet.

AIME Welcomes delegates with a taste of the Melbourne Cup

Every year in November Australians stop whatever they are doing to hear the call of the Melbourne Cup, the horse race that stops a nation. At AIME 2002 we go trackside to the spectacular Flemington Racecourse to experience the excitement, the glamour and the fun of a major race day at our unique Welcome Reception on Monday 18 February.

Enjoy superb food – and the odd drink – in the festive atmosphere that has put Melbourne on the racing calendar of key events throughout the world.

AIME Supper Party Sponsored by Crown

Tuesday evening at AIME promises to be a fantastic night of modern cuisine, dancing and entertainment. Crown, will once again host the night, but instead of a dinner, will present a sophisticated Supper Club in the opulent Palladium Room, one of Australia’s most spectacular ballrooms.

Staging Connections will transform the room into a stunning, luxurious Supper Club with cabaret seating and a ‘chill out’ area for relaxed networking. The dance floor will be a focal point with great lighting and music to satisfy all dance enthusiasts.

What to wear? Relaxed elegance is the go. Lounge suit for the males.

AIME 2002 will be held on 19 & 20 February 2002 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. For further information on AIME and to register as a buyer or visitor, go to the AIME website at: www.aime.com.au, or telephone the AIME office on 612-9422 2500.