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| Knowledge Monday |
For travel and events professionals flying into Melbourne, Knowledge Monday is more than a warm-up. It’s a high-value day designed to sharpen strategy, build capability, and spark ideas that can shape the way events are planned, marketed and delivered across the year ahead.
AIME 2026 Knowledge Monday: The Program That Starts the Week Strong
As the official lead-in to the AIME trade show, Knowledge Monday is designed for delegates who want more than networking. It’s an opportunity to learn from speakers who understand the pressures, pace and possibilities of the modern business events industry.This year’s content spans the topics that matter most right now, including business strategy and leadership, event management and experience design, tech, AI and data, humanity and skills development, and sustainability and legacy.
Held at MCEC, the program creates a natural meeting point for delegates arriving into Melbourne, setting the tone for the days that follow.
Keynote Sessions: Big Ideas From Inspiring Leaders
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| Knowledge Monday |
The day begins with coffee on arrival in the MCEC Plenary Foyer, followed by a welcome segment led by El Kwang, Founder and Chief Engager at BEAMexperience, alongside Silke Calder, AIME Exhibition Director at Talk2 Media and Events.
From there, the keynote sessions unfold in MCEC Plenary 3, featuring:
- Kristina Karlsson, Founder of kikki.K and Dream Life, presenting Thriving Through Change
- Milo Wilkinson, Behavioural Scientist and Futurist, presenting Brain 101: Mental Agility = Resilience, brought to you by ICMI
- Dan Haesler, Performance and Leadership Coach, presenting How to Bring It, brought to you by Saxton
These keynote sessions are designed to deliver practical insight while also shifting the mindset of the room, preparing attendees for a week of business conversations, partnerships and opportunities.
Breakout Sessions: Practical Learning Across Strategy, AI, Sustainability and Experience Design
After a light bite lunch and movement into breakout rooms, the afternoon program moves into concurrent sessions, allowing delegates to choose the topics most relevant to their roles, clients and future goals.The first breakout stream begins at 2.45pm, with standout sessions including:
- Business Events To Save The World with Dr Danny Davis
- Beyond the Booth: Creativity, Clarity and Measurable Impact with Jess Turnbull
- Digital Marketing and ROI Looking Towards 2030 with George Hawwa
- The Human Edge: Why You, Not Technology, Are the Competitive Advantage with Anna Glynn
- Legacy, Leadership and Belonging powered by Tourism New Zealand with Ian Jones MNZM
- Experience as Strategy: How Internal Culture Shapes Client Impact with Andy Sharpe
- Beyond the Brief: Building True Partnerships Between Buyers and Suppliers powered by SITE ANZ
- Event Industry Global Outlook powered by AIPC with Sven Bossu
- Mind the Gap: Managing Client Expectations in the Age of AI powered by PCMA APAC
- Future-Ready Leadership: Influence, Innovation and Impact with a panel of industry leaders
A coffee break follows before the second breakout stream begins at 4.15pm, featuring sessions focused on expertise, authority, CSR, sustainability and strategic partnerships, including:
- Back Yourself: The Power of Expertise in Action with Winitha Bonney OAM
- Delivering with Purpose: Why Expertise Matters in the CSR Event Space with Mitch Trevillion
- Beyond the Run Sheet: Mastering the Human Art of Navigating Event Chaos with Dave Chauhan
- From Expert to Authority: Speak with Confidence, Lead with Presence with Stephanie Tranquille
- The ROI of Delight: How Experience Marketing Drives Business Results with Anna Patterson
- Designing Events that Matter: From Bold Ideas to Lasting Impact with David Yakas
- Sustainable By Design powered by ICCA APAC and EarthCheck
- What Association Event Planners Wish You Knew powered by AuSAE
- Beyond Collaboration: Deconstructing Strategic Partnerships powered by IAPCO
- Future-Ready Leadership: Influence, Innovation and Impact continues in the final stream
The program concludes at 5.15pm, giving delegates time to transition into evening networking or prepare for the week ahead.
Why Knowledge Monday Is Worth Building Your Melbourne Trip Around
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| Knowledge Monday |
It’s also a valuable opportunity to take the pulse of the industry, with sessions reflecting the realities event professionals are facing right now, from AI-driven client expectations to sustainability requirements, experience-led strategy, and the human skills that continue to define successful events.
For anyone attending AIME 2026, Knowledge Monday offers a clear advantage: arrive early, learn fast, and start the week with momentum.
AIME 2026 Knowledge Monday
Date: Monday 9 February 2026Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Melbourne
Program highlights: 40 industry leaders and experts, keynote sessions, concurrent breakout sessions
Focus areas: business strategy and leadership, event management and experience design, tech, AI and data, humanity and skills development, sustainability and legacy
Website: https://aime.com.au/
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