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Hosted at the world-class Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event reflected renewed global confidence, expanded international participation, and a united commitment to sustainability.
Record Growth Confirmed AIME’s Market Leadership
Delivered by Talk2 Media & Events, AIME 2026 became the largest edition staged under Event Director Silke Calder and her team. The event strengthened its position as the leading business events trade show in the Asia Pacific region, attracting more buyers and exhibitors than ever before.An official press conference marked the opening, featuring Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media & Events; Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau; and Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia.
Pearce stated that AIME 2026 had represented the biggest show delivered to date, with growth in vetted buyers, exhibitors and international participation demonstrating strong industry confidence and a clear commitment to high-quality business outcomes.
Over three days, the show welcomed more than 1,500 vetted buyers, attracted over 5,000 attendees, and showcased more than 750 exhibitors from across 36 countries and territories. South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Uganda joined the exhibition floor for the first time, complementing strong representation from Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
More than 25,000 pre-scheduled meetings took place across the two-day trade show, reinforcing AIME’s reputation as the primary meeting platform for the global business events community in Asia Pacific.
Sustainability Leadership Drove Industry Change
AIME 2026 highlighted substantial progress toward long-term environmental commitments under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative. Having signed the pledge several years earlier, AIME worked toward reducing direct emissions by 50 percent by 2030.Pearce confirmed that the event had already moved significantly toward that milestone. Venue emissions, representing a major controllable component, had been dramatically reduced thanks largely to the sustainability credentials of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The focus now shifted beyond measurement toward collective action, with organisers collaborating closely with industry partners to achieve a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. This positioned AIME not just as a trade show, but as a catalyst for responsible transformation within the global meetings and incentives sector.
Knowledge Monday Elevated Industry Expertise
Opening day featured Knowledge Monday, AIME’s acclaimed professional development program. Under the 2026 theme “Expertise Matters!”, more than 1,500 delegates attended a full day of learning, strategic insight and forward-thinking discussion.The program was curated in collaboration with El Kwang and BEAMexperience and guided by an industry advisory committee. Three keynote speakers, Dan Haesler, Milo Wilkinson and Kristina Karlsson, opened proceedings before 20 breakout sessions unfolded across five core content streams.
Knowledge Monday reinforced AIME’s standing as a launchpad for leadership development and innovation in the rapidly evolving global business events landscape.
Aimagination Delivered a Spectacular Welcome Event
The opening day concluded with the highly anticipated Welcome Event, themed Aimagination. More than 2,000 attendees dressed in white gathered at Evoqué in Melbourne’s CBD for an evening of entertainment, networking and celebration. The immersive event atmosphere reflected the creativity and ambition that defined AIME 2026.Strategic Partnerships and Co-Located Events Expanded Global Reach
The AIME trade show ran across 10 and 11 February, featuring enhanced show floor zoning, expanded networking areas, and an enlarged Ideas Academy presented by Spice magazine.The event also hosted a series of influential co-located gatherings. These included Regional Business Exchanges and a Bid Workshop delivered by International Congress and Convention Association, alongside their Oceanic Members Breakfast Meeting.
Further high-profile meetings included the Leaders Forum hosted by the Australian Business Events Association, the SITE ANZ Young Leaders Get Together, SITE NITE After Party, the PCMA APAC Members’ Networking Breakfast, and the return of AIPC at AIME, delivering a focused summit for convention and exhibition centre leaders.
Building on the momentum of more than $400 million in business generated following AIME 2025, the 2026 edition firmly cemented its role as the region’s most important gateway for international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions business.
Why AIME 2026 Mattered for Global Business Events
AIME 2026 stood as more than a trade show. It served as a powerful barometer of industry confidence, a measurable example of sustainability leadership, and a platform where global decision-makers shaped the future of business events in Asia Pacific and beyond.For destinations, venues, suppliers and event professionals worldwide, AIME continued to deliver measurable commercial outcomes while driving meaningful industry progress.
For more information, visit https://aime.com.au
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