It’s going to be big
Organisers have suggested this year’s show will be the biggest in a decade, with 570 exhibitors locked in, representing 33 countries. There will be more than 600 hosted buyers and an expected 3,500 visitor buyers. Compared to 2023, the number of exhibitors is 63 per cent higher this year and the number of hosted buyers is 51 per cent higher.
There will be post-pandemic returns to the show floor
With global travel, aviation and business events still in recovery from the lockdown years of the pandemic, quite a few countries are returning to the show floor this year for the first time since the pandemic was declared. Destinations back on the floor in 2024 include the USA, Canada, the Maldives, the UK, Macao, Fiji, Vietnam, India and Monaco.
There will be new zones
The Boutique will showcase around 20 exhibitors which specialise in bespoke and highly customisable experiences.
The DMC Network will provide a space for destination management companies from around the world to showcase their services.
Existing zones are continuing to flourish too. The hotel zone will be 50 per cent larger than last year while the Activate areas around the edge of show floor will offer everything from walking tours to AV, augmented reality and event entertainment.
The welcome event is going (slightly) out of town
AIME’s opening party is going somewhere different this year, taking an expected 1,600 attendees a little out of the city centre to Grazeland, in Spotswood, an inner western suburb of Melbourne. The open air, mostly undercoer venue offers food trucks in shipping containers, so there’s sure to plenty of variety in cuisine.
The event is being produced by young entertainment agency Cirkus Bizurkus which was founded in 2020. This will be the agency’s first event in Melbourne.
There will be a podcast
AIME is having its own podcast for the first time in 2024, to be recorded on the show floor. The podcast will be recorded by Connected Event Group, who also helm the Professional Conference Organisers Association podcast.
micenet’s special edition magazine will hit the (proverbial) stands
Our latest magazine will be released at AIME, packed with insights into some of the biggest industry issues and opportunities – exploring AI, robotics and sustainability as well as trends likely to shape the year ahead. There’s also plenty of destination inspiration with features on New Zealand, Macao, Port Douglas, Cairns, Uluru and Perth.
