18 January 2012: Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) have refreshed the show’s social program this year and are offering new networking opportunities on and off the show floor.
Building on popular annual events such as the official Welcome Reception, AIME is holding a new Tuesday night event, “Nightcap Networking”. The show floor will also be opened up for Exhibitor Networking Drinks on the first day, Tuesday, 21 February, between 4:30pm and 6pm, giving attendees more opportunities to network with potential and existing business contacts.
Sally de Swart, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) Director for AIME, said the focus of the show is on doing real business and networking events are an important part of this.
“AIME is renowned for its social events and we are very excited to be offering these new networking opportunities at the 20th anniversary show. Our attendees really look forward to catching up with past business contacts and of course making new ones each year,” Ms de Swart said.
“As many of our attendees are from out of town, the social events provide a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to mingle, while showcasing Melbourne as a five-star, creative events destination.”
From 4:30pm on the first day of AIME, the show floor will be opened up allowing attendees to mingle with exhibitors they otherwise may not get a chance to meet due to appointment schedules. Exhibitors are encouraged to arrange some form of hospitality during this time to entice visitors and Hosted Buyers to their stands to network and conduct business in an informal manner.
Later that evening, AIME’s newest social event, Nightcap Networking, will take place from 9 -11pm at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) in Southbank, and will be hosted by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and the Atlantic Group. The event will be reminiscent of a classic, New York speakeasy, where only the elite drink and socialise. This year the presentation of the 2012 AIME Awards, recognising the best stands and outstanding contribution within the industry, will take place at this event.
MCVB has also announced details for the acclaimed AIME Welcome Reception. The highly anticipated event, which takes place on the Monday night, will be held at one of Melbourne’s newest and most opulent venues, the Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington, the inner-city suburb that is home to the world-famous Melbourne Cup Carnival.
This year’s theme centres on Melbourne’s nightlife and will give delegates a taste of the city’s mysterious laneways and sophisticated roof top bars; Melbourne truly comes alive when the sun goes down.
Karen Bolinger, MCVB’s Chief Executive Officer, said each year over 2000 industry members from around the world come together at the Welcome Reception, making it a highlight on the annual event calendar for the global meetings and incentives industry.
“This year’s Welcome Reception is set to start AIME off with a bang in its 20th year and will feature a 12-piece big band, an illuminated oyster and vodka bar and Imperial Chinese kitchen,” Ms Bolinger said.
“The Melbourne Pavilion is one of the city’s best kept secrets; located in a heritage-listed, industrial art deco building, its interior features contemporary architecture and design, right down to the lighting and furnishings, making it uniquely Melbourne, and a superb location for an event of this calibre.”
Tickets to the Welcome Reception are AUD$110 and Nightcap Networking tickets are AUD$70 per person. Attendees can purchase the ‘AIME Party Package’ which includes entry to both events for AUD$150 – offering a saving of 20 per cent.
Attendees are encouraged to book their tickets early to avoid missing out.
For more information, to pre-register as a visitor or to purchase event tickets, visit www.aime.com.au.
