Produced in partnership with the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME)
Held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), AIME 2026 will be the largest show yet delivered by event director Silke Calder and her team, with a strong focus on meaningful meetings, practical learning and global business outcomes for Australian event professionals.
AIME 2026 gives Australian event professionals direct access to the global business events marketplace, with a program designed to deliver results on and off the show floor.
More than 750 exhibitors from 36 countries will attend, including New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, India, Japan, Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. For local planners, this is a rare opportunity to connect with global decision-makers and emerging destinations without leaving Australia.
Central to AIME is the hosted buyer program, with more than 700 vetted buyers participating in over 20,000 pre-scheduled meetings across the two-day trade show.
Event director Silke Calder says the program’s evolution is central to strong outcomes.
“As a team, we are always striving for perfection, and we have been working hard to finesse our meeting matching methodology for our buyers and sellers, using the latest advances in AI, blended with our team’s expertise and knowledge,” she says.
The 2026 show floor has been refreshed for easier navigation and discovery. Expanded zones include The Boutique, with over 40 venues and experience-led suppliers, and the DMC Network, featuring 30 destination management companies. Growth in the Tech Zone and Hotel Zone reflects strong demand for digital solutions and accommodation options.
AIME also continues its partnership with the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), delivering a summit for convention and exhibition centres on 11 February. The ABEA Leaders Forum on 9 February will bring senior executives together to discuss sector challenges, trends and opportunities.
Education is led by Knowledge Monday on 9 February. Under the theme Expertise Matters!, the program features keynote speakers Dan Haesler, Milo Wilkinson and Kristina Karlsson, and includes 20 breakout sessions on leadership, event design, technology, workforce development and sustainability.
The day concludes with AIME’s Welcome Event in the evening, offering a relaxed networking environment for delegates to reconnect with peers ahead of the trade show on 10 and 11 February.
With its mix of education, innovation and structured networking, AIME 2026 positions Australian event professionals at the heart of the Asia Pacific business events industry.
For more information, visit aime.com.au
