AIME ON TARGET FOR 2002 19 & 20 February Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

AIME 2002, the AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, is on target to be the best event yet with more space devoted to exhibitors from Asia and extremely strong support from the domestic market.

“Despite a challenging year for the business travel and MICE industries, AIME has been well supported with a 10-15% increase in space among exhibitors from Asia, strong support from Australian exhibitors, and many companies participating for the first time,” said exhibition manager, David Crooke.

More than 600 companies will participate in AIME 2002 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre on 19 & 20 February.

“AIME celebrates its 10th birthday in 2002 in what could be described as a new era in the business travel industry. If anything, the global situation makes it even more important to visit events like AIME, not only to support the industry but also to take advantage of the enormous amount of product and professional advice that’s on offer,” Mr Crooke said.

"AIME 2002 has attracted a large number of new exhibitors, as well as all the important destinations, bureaux, venues and hotels that have participated in AIME in the past. And, many of our exhibitors from Asia have taken larger stands than in previous years," Mr Crooke said.

Destinations on show at AIME 2002 include Austria, Australia, Bali, Barcelona, Borneo, Boston, Canada, California, Cook Islands, Copenhagen, Czech Republic, Dubai, Egypt, Fiji, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Istanbul, Kenya, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Osaka, Sarawak, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, St Petersburg, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokyo, Yokohama, the USA and the United Kingdom.

AIME is open to anyone who organizes a meeting, conference, exhibition or incentive program. They may be a professional meeting planner or conference organizer, or the person with the responsibility for organizing meetings or events for an association or a corporation.

Whether that meeting or event is for 20 or 20,000, you will find a variety of suppliers to suit your needs at AIME.

There are also a wide range of activities to participate in at AIME including a Seminar Program, a Meeting Planners Day, a Welcome Reception and Supper Party.

AIME Seminar Program

There has never been a more important time to update your professional skills and gain a competitive edge. The AIME Seminars provide an excellent opportunity to learn from the leaders in the industry and experts in the meetings, incentives and exhibitions field. AIME Seminars are held on the Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of AIME, from 8.30-10am.

Tuesday 19 February 2002

A1 Incentives - The Marketing Tool for the Times

Sponsored by AustralAsian Incentive Association

In this session we will show you how incentive and loyalty programs can be the ideal tool to increase shareholder value in a recessed market, by winning sales and market share while reducing costs. In an environment of uncertain consumer confidence, reduced demand and shrinking marketing budgets the sophisticated use of incentives at channel and consumer levels can produce far-reaching results with strong positive impact on the bottom line.

OR

E1 Don't Kill Your Delegates

Sponsored by the Exhibition and Event Association of Australia

Do you think OH&S does not apply to PCO's? Not true! PCO's have a legal duty of care under OH&S legislation to ensure the safety of their delegates and staff. Learn about your legal responsibilities and the steps you need to take as a PCO to become OH&S compliant.

Presented by Mr Frank Mohren, Director of Operations, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

OR

M1 The Art of Entertainment

Sponsored by the Meetings Industry Association of Australia

Entertainment can not only add impact to an event, but also be useful in enhancing the theme, objectives and message of the conference. This session will cover issues such as creating balance in the entertainment program, tailoring and scripting, building the running order, and the co-ordination of the entertainment with other elements such as technical production.

Presented by Nigel Collin, Managing Director of Absurd Entertainment

Wednesday 20 February 2002

A2 The Incentive Market - Rich Pickings in Tough Times

Sponsored by AustralAsian Incentive Association

If your normal flow of customers is limited and your budgets tight, then it makes very good sense to focus on the ways in which businesses can co-operate to help each other. In incentives, the primary issue is how your products can help sell more of someone else's - and earn profits for everyone by doing so!

A panel of accredited marketing practitioners will provide examples of just how this can be done. You will leave this session with new and sound ideas you can put in place to win business right away.

OR

E2 Turning PCO's into Exhibitionists

Sponsored by the Exhibitions and Event Association of Australia

An exhibition in conjunction with a conference can increase your profits, but how do you make the exhibitors happy? A morning tea for delegates in the trade show is not enough. Learn the vital steps to successfully integrate an exhibition with your conference.

Presented by a panel of EEAA organizers

OR

M2 What Clients Want

Sponsored by the Meetings Industry Association of Australia

What are the needs and expectations of the clients of the meetings and events industry? This lively panel presentation will provide a rare opportunity for the meetings and business events industry to hear from its own clients about how the industry is responding to, and satisfying their needs.

AIME 2002 will be held on 19 & 20 February 2002 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Exhibition hours are 10am to 6pm on Tuesday 19 February and 10am to 5pm on 20 February.