The Big Cheese: Ali Thompson, AIME Sales Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions

The Big Cheese: Ali Thompson, AIME Sales Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions

The great thing about my job is: by being in the heart of the MICE industry, utilising contacts and making new relationships every day.

The challenge for industry is: budget limitations, althougth the world economy is steadily improving. A new challenge will be lack of face to face communication as we are becoming increasingly more dependant on the evolving digital landscape and technology.

My greatest achievement is: moving to the other side of the world! (Born and bred in Blackburn Lancashire, I lived in New Zealand for 13.5 years developing my own event company before jumping the ditch to Australia in 2010).

The biggest thing in MICE this year will be: smart event technology, from online networking tools, hybrid conferences to big data capture and virtual reality. Love it or hate it technology is a game changer.

I try to relax by: a beautiful glass of vino and switching off my mobile phone.

I don’t understand why: we as people do not seem to respect our enviroment and continue to damage it for future generations.

My favourite venue is: well I’m not sure whether to class this as my favourate venue as A, I’ve never been, and B, it’s a bit strange. I’ve always wanted to visit the Sedlec Ossuary (The Church of Bones) in the Czech Republic. Google it if you dare.

I’ve always wanted to travel: around every nook and cranny of the world, soaking up experiences, exploring continents whilst inhailing cultures, customs and people.

I am scared to death of: creepy crawlies, especially huge spiders!!!

I can’t live without: my zest for life.

I really wish I had: my family close by.

If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be: my Mum, Dad, brother and sister in law.

For anyone starting out in the industry one piece of advice I’d give would be:
give it your heart and soul, be prepared for long hours and a lot of hard work, the rewards will come and will be so worth it!

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