AIME 2026 Melbourne: Big Builds, Bold Ideas and the Future of Business Events in Asia Pacific

AIME 2026

The global business events community converged on Melbourne for the 33rd edition of AIME Asia Pacific, reaffirming its position as the leading meetings and incentives event in the Asia Pacific region. Hosted at the world-class Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, AIME 2026 welcomed exhibitors from 36 countries and territories, alongside strong representation from across Australia.

As one of the most influential trade shows in the business events industry, AIME continues to set the benchmark for connection, innovation and growth. This year, Creative Hire played a pivotal role in shaping the visitor experience, delivering immersive environments aligned with the bold vision of AIME 2026.

Creative Hire Appointed Official Partner at AIME 2026

In 2026, Creative Hire was appointed as an official Welcome Function and Hosted Buyers Lounge Partner, tasked with designing and delivering immersive spaces that elevated the overall exhibition and event design.

The Welcome Function and Hosted Buyers Lounge were carefully curated to foster meaningful engagement, combining atmosphere, functionality and design-led thinking. These spaces reflected the evolving expectations of the global meetings and incentives market, where experience now drives connection.

Alongside this partnership role, Creative Hire also showcased its group capability through a custom stand space, demonstrating expertise in delivering large-scale exhibitions, live events and creative activations at scale.

Paul Enright, Business Development Manager at Creative Hire, reinforced the significance of AIME within the Asia Pacific business events landscape, noting the vibrant transformation of the exhibition floor.

He observed that the refreshed zoning and expanded networking areas brought new energy to the hall, encouraging deeper engagement and more dynamic conversations between exhibitors and visitors.

AIME 2026: The Leading Meetings and Incentives Event in Asia Pacific

AIME 2026

Recognised globally as the premier business events trade show in the region, AIME attracts event planners, PCOs, destination marketers and suppliers seeking to build partnerships and unlock new opportunities.

With its strategic location in Melbourne, a city renowned for hosting major international conferences and exhibitions, AIME strengthens Australia’s reputation as a powerhouse destination for meetings and incentives travel.

Leona Byrne, Senior Business Development Manager at Creative Hire, highlighted the renewed focus on face-to-face connection.

She noted that clients are actively searching for creative, impactful solutions that elevate their events and deliver meaningful engagement. AIME 2026 clearly demonstrated that immersive design and experiential thinking are no longer optional extras but essential components of successful business events.

Stand Design Concept: From Safe to Bold

For Creative Hire and sister company DisplayWise, AIME 2026 marked a defining milestone. Exhibiting together under one collective pavilionised space for the first time, the collaboration sent a clear message: Big Builds. Bold Ideas.

The stand design concept invited visitors to reimagine what is possible for their next exhibition or event. The visual narrative explored a shift from safe to bold, neutral to vibrant, and static to immersive.

Drawing inspiration from the resurgence of colour blocking in 2026, the design fused Creative Hire’s signature magenta with DisplayWise’s raspberry red. Industrial designers developed a colourful monochrome gradient using layered brand tones, textures and finishes, resulting in a cohesive and striking aesthetic.

A next-generation LED wall introduced dynamic visual animations, creating a high-contrast, minimalist and modern display environment. The pavilion-style concept blended modular system builds with premium craftsmanship and custom timber joinery, demonstrating how aluminium framing can increase flexibility without compromising impact.

The result was an exhibition space that moved beyond structure to create a meaningful, memorable brand experience.

Big Builds. Bold Ideas. A New Era of Exhibition Design

AIME 2026

The “Big Builds” philosophy reflects Creative Hire’s capacity to deliver large-scale, complex event and exhibition environments with precision and reliability. From national roadshows to custom exhibition stands, the group offers end-to-end solutions combining technical expertise, seamless logistics and integrated project management.

“Bold Ideas” represents design-led strategy that challenges convention. It is a commitment to fearless thinking, immersive storytelling and innovative concepts that capture attention and elevate brands.

At AIME 2026, this combined approach demonstrated how the future of exhibition environments lies in hybrid builds that merge modular efficiency with bespoke finishes, enabling event managers and PCOs to deliver ambitious visions with confidence.

Why AIME 2026 Matters for Business Events Travel

For professionals planning conferences, incentives, exhibitions and live events across Asia Pacific, AIME remains an essential fixture on the industry calendar. It is where destinations, venues and suppliers connect to shape the future of global business events.

Melbourne’s continued hosting of AIME reinforces the city’s status as a premier meetings destination, supported by world-class infrastructure and creative industry expertise.

As the business events sector evolves, AIME stands at the forefront, showcasing innovation, sustainability and immersive design trends that will influence exhibitions worldwide in 2026 and beyond.

For more information about AIME Asia Pacific visit:
https://aime.com.au/

To learn more about Creative Hire and its exhibition and event capabilities visit:
https://creativehire.com.au/

For venue information visit:
https://www.mcec.com.au/

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