Exhibitor Presence Increases for AIME 2012

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) is experiencing an increased demand for exhibitor space giving further credence to reports that the meetings and incentives industry in Australia and the surrounding region is going from strength to strength.

AIME, owned by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on 21-22 February 2012 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), and based on early feedback from registered exhibitors, organisers expect exhibitor presence to be strong.

Sally de Swart, RTE Director for AIME, says she is impressed but not surprised with the interest from new exhibitors for 2012, as well as the desire for past exhibitors to expand their presence at the show.

"This year we are seeing destinations increasing their numbers of trade partners at the show and therefore needing to increase the size of their stands. Also organisations which have previously shared a stand are branching out and committing to their own stand in order to have more exposure at AIME," Ms de Swart said.

"It's fantastic to see that early interest in AIME is very promising and that the strong interest in the Asia-Pacific region as a MICE destination gives the industry a positive outlook moving forward."

In June this year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported a three per cent year-on-year increase in convention and conference arrivals to Australia. The UFI, Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, also reported a 10 per cent profit increase for Asia-Pacific companies in the exhibition industry in 2010*. Both reports confirm the region's growth in popularity as a meeting and incentives destination.

Australia is also proving to be a strong market for outbound conferences, which has led to AIME exhibitors like Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to significantly increase their presence at the show.

Jane Scribner, Manager of Consumer Marketing & Business Tourism at HKTB in Sydney confirmed that Hong Kong has almost doubled their stand size at AIME for 2012 in addition to increasing the number of trade partners from 24 in 2011 to 35.

"Australia is one of the primary source markets for the meetings and events industry in Hong Kong and we have enjoyed strong growth from this segment in recent years," Ms Scribner said.

"AIME 2012 will represent a milestone for HKTB as we mount the largest presence for any trade show in recent times where we are joined by 35 Hong Kong trade for what we hope will be another very successful show and start to the new year."

Marriott International, a leading worldwide hospitality company, has previously been represented at AIME through individual hotels and on destination stands, however in 2012 they are expanding their presence by holding a dedicated Marriott International stand for the first time.

Avril Northridge, South Asia's Regional Director at Marriott International, said they are delighted to be taking a major stand at AIME 2012.

"This expanded presence at AIME is part of Marriott's group strategy and will assist in building awareness and increasing business for the many new, or recently refurbished, hotels and resorts in the Asia-Pacific region and across the globe," Ms Northridge said.

"Marriott also continues to support country and city destination stands at AIME."

New and returning exhibitors will join Hosted Buyers and visitors from around the globe for AIME 2012, taking advantage of the valuable meeting and networking opportunities for the business events industry.

For more information visit www.aime.com.au

*UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, compiled the data collection from 194 companies in 54 countries. www.ufi.org

Conferences Perth: The Secrets of Event-Based Marketing

Social media might be the hottest new marketing tool on the block right now, but there has also been a simultaneous swing towards event-based marketing.

This approach is becoming increasingly popular as business owners seek out increasingly rare opportunities to get some face time with their customers.

But how you run the event can make or break any future dealings with those in the room, so tread very carefully.

How does event-based marketing work?

Inviting potential customers along to learn about your business can be a tough ask, but those involved in event-based marketing business say it can work wonders for a business.

Adam Benson, director of event-based marketing experts Recognition PR describes it as one of the best sales programs around. "What other marketing activities give you an opportunity to bring prospects into your world for an hour or two (or longer) and be completely engaged with you at the exclusion of all else?" Benson says.

The Secrets of Event-Based Marketing

Business tourism remains strong: BECA

Despite the economic downturn the international business events sector indicated strong growth from its 2009 fall.

According to the Business Events Council of Australia, (BECA) industry report, total expenditure for international and domestic overnight and day business event attendees grew seven percent to 8.5 billion in 2010 compared to 2009.

Overnight business event attendees increased by five percent in 2010, compared to domestic day business events attendees which fell by one percent in 2009.

The report was compiled to assist Tourism Australia seek its goal to ensure Australia’s tourism industry doubles its contribution to the Australian economy by 2020.

Australia’s (ICCA) ranking as a destination for hosting international associations meetings jumped from 16th to 11th and within the Asia Pacific region, Australia was ranked third by ICCA and fourth by UIA.

Despite New Zealand significantly contributing to Australia’s international conference and convention attendees, arrival numbers from New Zealand fell during 2010.

In relation to the incentive market the total yield was down by 19 percent with expenditure per visitor down for both international and domestic markets.

BECA has joined forces with Business Events Australia to monitor and ensure the contribution of business events sector to the economy increases from the present delegate visitor expenditure of AUD8.4billion to AUD16billion by 2020.

BECA recognises the tourism value of business events and has produced a discussion paper on the issue attempting to quantify the ‘beyond tourism’ benefits by the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau and Business Events Sydney.

(Source: etbmice.com)

Sydney Conferences: Australia is the Ultimate Incentive: Business Events Australia

With some 90-plus per cent of surveyed Americans saying they have always wanted to go to Australia, Business Events Australia is confident that Australia is in good stead to incentivize employees.

e-Travel Blackboard was on location at last week’s IMEX America in Las Vegas, where regional general manager Daryl Hudson shared findings of a recent study revealing that Australia is the number one desired incentive destination for Corporate End Users, after cash incentives.

The survey also saw American event organizers list Australia as a once in a lifetime experience for many delegates.

“We are thus in a good position to play an important role in incentivizing employees to achieve and to win that Australian trip,” Mr Hudson said.

Australia is the Ultimate Incentive: Business Events Australia

Creative Innovation 2011 - Melbourne Conferences

The Creative Innovation 2011 conference will be held 16–18 November at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.

Be inspired by over 35 world-class thinkers, speakers and innovators helping you to achieve business success in a super-connected world.

The main theme of Ci2011 is "The challenges and opportunities of a super-connected world" and it will be addressed at the personal, organisational and global level across the major sectors of business, industry, community and government. Sessions will allow delegates the opportunity to expand their scope of creative understanding and learn new strategies whilst also leveraging their innate, but sometimes hidden, creative capabilities.

Among the key speakers will be one of the world's best know lateral thinkers Dr Edward de Bono who has written over 82 books. Raymond Kurzweil – who has been referred to as "The Restless Genius" by the Wall Street Journal – will give a keynote address as part of a Deep Conversation.
For more information about Creative Innovation 2011, visit www.ci2011.com.au.

ICMI Showcase First Speaker Announcement - Melbourne Conferences

Be our Guest in Melbourne for ICMI's 25th Year Anniversary Showcase of Australia's Most Successful Speakers and Entertainers.

This is a FREE event with lots of giveaways and surprises on the day. It's a great opportunity to get to know the ICMI team and see exclusive presentations from ICMI Speakers like Amanda Stevens, Col Cameron, Mike Brady, Ralph Plarre, Matina Jewell and many more.

20th October 2011
Crown Conference Centre Melbourne
Starting at 8:00am (registration from 7:30am)

More Speakers on the lineup will be announced soon.

Register now to reserve your place!

New Luxury Travel Show Unwrapped

A new luxury travel show has been launched in Australia – Luxperience.

The event, a three day business exchange for Australasia and the Pacific, will be based in Melbourne and will take place from September 2-5, 2012 at the Crown Entertainment complex.

Luxperience’s founder is Rosemarie Sama, previously exhibition manager for the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME), held annually in Melbourne.

She said, “It's time the travel industry had a year-round community dedicated to the luxury experience, a place where ideas can come to fruition and grow through collaboration.

“We are dedicated to matching high end suppliers with appropriate buyers so the world of the high end experiential travel market can prosper.”

(Source: Travelmole.com, September 2011)

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