Wednesday, 29 January 2014

AIME establishes strategic partnerships with AFTA and Sabre Pacific

AIME (Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo) has today announced the establishment of two significant strategic partnerships with the Australian Federation for Travel Agents (AFTA), the peak body for travel agents within Australia, and Sabre Pacific, a global travel technology company serving the travel and tourism industry.

These new partnerships are a significant step forward for AIME as it continues to build its presence in the business travel sector. AIME will this year celebrate its 22nd year as the Asia-Pacific’s leading two-day exhibition for those involved in organising business travel, meetings, incentives and events.

According to Exhibition Director of AIME and CITBM (China Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition), Jacqui Timmins, partnering with both AFTA and Sabre Pacific is crucial to the growth of AIME, currently the largest international business exhibition in Australia.

“These strategic partnerships with AFTA and Sabre Pacific demonstrate to our audience and peers the importance of business travel to the business events arena,” Ms Timmins said.

We understand how vital it is for us to continue to build the presence of business travel product at AIME, as well as support the travel agents and providers of Australia by affording exposure to our international Hosted Buyer Program.

“It’s key for us to ensure we’re meeting the needs of the business travel industry and gaining a clearer understanding of its requirements.
“The fact that these renowned organisations have chosen to invest in AIME provides a major opportunity for the business travel industry and opens up the event to new audiences.”

AFTA CEO, Jayson Westbury, said he believed that 2014 was a great year to kick off the partnership, as he predicts the business travel industry will be truly thriving.

“AFTA is delighted to be working with AIME this year as a strategic partner, a year in which incentives, meetings and events travel should be trending strongly and the role of travel agents becomes even more relevant and important,” Mr Westbury said.

AFTA will also take the opportunity at AIME to officially announce the launch of ATAS (AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme), effective in April 2014, among their industry peers. During the event, AIME attendees will get an understanding for the new accreditation scheme, which will elevate travel standards and “future-proof” the Australian travel industry.

A feature at AIME’s Innovation Zone will be Sabre Pacific’s TripCase tool for the popular trip management app. TripCase helps travellers organise their trip details, keeps them informed with in-transit messages and critical flight alerts, and offers helpful tools such as maps, weather forecasts, trip sharing, alternate flight schedules and seat maps.

James Quinlan, General Manager Marketing & Service Delivery, Sabre Pacific, sole sponsor of The Innovation Zone, said the organization is looking forward to attending AIME for the first time in an official capacity and is pleased to be able to share their new developments with AIME delegates.


”As the leading provider of travel technology to the MICE and corporate market, Sabre Pacific understands the importance of keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and developments,” Mr Quinlan said.

“We have chosen to sponsor this year's AIME in order to support this sector and provide attendees with a glimpse at the future of our products, in particular TripCase.”

AIME will this year also launch a new business travel stand award to be sponsored by AFTA. This award represents a strong investment in the show and a solid commitment to the event in AFTA’s inaugural year as a sponsor.

For further information about the strategic partnership or for comment from key spokespeople, please contact Bronte Tarn-Weir or Jessica Minear.

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