The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) has officially kicked off, and boy there’s a lot of information to take in when it comes to the MICE event of the year. So we’ve done you a favour and put it all in one place. Enjoy!

AIME Silver Anniversary kicks off

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) press conference has launched the silver anniversary of AIME, at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Monday 20 February 2017, announcing new research and insights driving the meetings and events industry.

The Right Honourable Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, remarked on Melbourne’s position as Australia’s sporting capital and the world’s most liveable city for the sixth consecutive year, plus the city’s friendly and down to earth charm.

Karen Bolinger, CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau outlined the future of the meetings and events industry in Australia, sharing findings from The Future of Business Meetings Industry Report by McCrindle on the expectations and changes to the industry.

Penny Lion, executive general manager Events, Tourism Australia shared Australian events contributed approximately $55 million to the Australian economy in 2016, with a 100% satisfaction rate.

Concluding the press conference, Peter King, Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, talked of the venue’s success over the last year and the continued growth of MCEC as the first six-star facility in Australia.

Team Western Australia heads to AIME 2017

The Perth Convention Bureau (PCB) will be attending the annual Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne on the 21st and 22nd February 2017.

PCB, in conjunction with 15 of its members ranging from hotels and resorts to audio visual and exhibitions specialists, will be welcoming those interested in discovering the developing State of Western Australia. Make sure to visit stand 3932 at AIME 2017.

Hawai’i shares Aloha spirit at AIME 2017

Six Hawai‘i partners will be at AIME this year to share the Aloha Spirit along with the latest updates from the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) Country Manager Australia, Kerri Anderson, said for the first time in three years, a number of Hawai‘i’s top MICE partners would join HTO on the Hawai‘i stand, including The Modern Hotel; The Kahala Hotel and Resort; Disney Aulani Resort; The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki; and Maui Visitors Bureau.

Come say Aloha at the Meet Hawai‘i stand #4200.

Crown Hotels Capitalises on Growing MICE Market

With Australia increasing in popularity as a preferred business events destination and over 800,000 international business travellers arriving on our shores annually, Crown Hotels is gearing up to show this year’s delegates of the Asia-Pacific Meetings Expo (AIME) why Crown Events & Conferences continues to remain at the forefront of corporate hospitality and a leading player in the MICE industry within Australia.

By visiting the Crown Hotels stand (#3928), AIME delegates can take part in the Instagram competition for a chance to win two nights accommodation in a Premier King room at Crown Towers Perth including Crystal Club access for two and return flights.

To be eligible, you will need to visit the Crown Hotels booth at AIME, select a crown from the costume collection on offer, take a photo wearing the costume crown in front of the Crown Hotels backdrop and upload the photo to your Instagram page using the @crownhotels tag and hashtag #AIME4Crown.

Crown Hotels are also celebrating the return of the Crown Spa Pamper Zone, located in Hospitality Suite 2, just to the right of the entry/exit area. Delegates can take a break from their action-packed AIME schedules and enjoy a complimentary 15-minute neck, shoulder or hand massage performed by Crown Spa’s renowned therapists.

New Zealand Event Planners’ Guide launches at AIME 2017

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) is launching its latest guide for event planners at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) next week.

CINZ and Tourism New Zealand are exhibiting with 14 partners at the 25^th AIME on February 21 and 22 in Melbourne, and will be giving away copies of the new guide on stand.

The 2017 Event Planners’ Guide features four page sections for each region of New Zealand, plus a directory of services and a section for luxury products, venues and services. Expanded content now takes the guide to a record 200 pages, including more information from the South Island regions of Marlborough, Nelson-Tasman, Oamaru and Dunedin.

Inside is a case study of the 2016 CINZ Conference in Hamilton and Waikato region, making it easy for event planners to use this template themselves.

Historic arts hub to make AIME debut with Team Brisbane

A historic arts and events hub will for the first time join a diverse Brisbane contingent showcasing eminent business event, accommodation and cultural experiences at the Australia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) next week.

The iconic Brisbane Powerhouse will make its AIME debut with Team Brisbane on stand 2418 from 21-22 February.

A former power station built in the 1920s, the Brisbane Powerhouse is now a regarded performing arts, culture and events hub attracting more than 700,000 visitors every year.

Convention Bureau general manager Rob Nelson said the 11 Team Brisbane exhibitors comprised one of the most diverse groups to ever represent Australia’s New World City.

Christchurch unveils a fascinating 21^st century city

Christchurch is a city of ribbon-cutting, as New Zealand’s oldest city becomes its newest, five years into a NZD40 billion regeneration programme.

Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB) manager Caroline Blanchfield says new venues, shops, restaurants, restored heritage and generous green spaces are opening every month to reveal a fascinating 21^st century city.

In the heart of the CBD on this prime riverfront site, Christchurch’s convention centre will be a world-class boutique facility of major architectural significance for 200 to 2000 delegates, planned for completion in late 2019.

By the time the convention centre opens, the city will boast 2,500 new hotel rooms all within easy walking distance. New hotels to open this year include the 204-room Crowne Plaza Christchurch just opposite the convention centre, and Novotel Christchurch Airport. In coming years, Christchurch will also see a new Holiday Inn Express, plus the new 200-room Peterborough hotel, and a Sudima Christchurch city hotel.