For the Asia Pacific business events industry, AIME’s opening day has increasingly become a barometer of confidence, capability, and direction. In 2026, the show has opened with its strongest numbers to date, underlining renewed momentum across buyers, exhibitors, and destinations, while placing leadership and sustainability firmly at the centre of the agenda.
MT Bureau
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event officially opened its 2026 edition today in Melbourne, recording record growth in participation and reaffirming its long-term commitment to emissions reduction under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.
Scale, leadership, and sustainability in focus
Delivered by Talk2 Media & Events, AIME 2026 is the largest edition delivered to date under Event Director Silke Calder and her team. An official press conference this morning marked the opening of the show, featuring Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media & Events; Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau; and Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia.
“AIME 2026 is the biggest show our team has delivered to date, and the continued growth in buyers, exhibitors and international participation reflects the confidence our industry places in the event,” said Pearce.
Providing an update on sustainability, Pearce added, “AIME signed up to the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative several years ago, with a milestone target of reducing the emissions we can directly control by 50 percent by 2030. I’m pleased to share that we are well on the way to achieving that target.”
He noted that venue emissions have been reduced significantly, largely due to the sustainability credentials of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and said the focus will now shift towards collective action with industry partners.
Buyers, exhibitors, and business outcomes
Over three days, AIME 2026 will welcome more than 1,500 vetted buyers, host over 5,000 attendees, and feature more than 750 exhibitors from 36 countries and territories. South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Uganda are participating for the first time, alongside strong representation from Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.
Across the two-day trade show, more than 25,000 pre-scheduled meetings are set to take place, building on momentum that saw more than $400 mn of business generated following AIME 2025.
“AIME is now in its 33rd year and we are thrilled by the continued growth and success of the show,” said Swanson. “We are proud to be the leading business events trade show in the region and to provide an unparalleled opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to meet and generate business together.”
Opening day learning and networking
Today’s programme also includes Knowledge Monday, AIME’s professional development platform, welcoming more than 1,500 attendees under the theme Expertise Matters!. The programme features three keynote speakers and 20 breakout sessions across five content streams.
“Events like AIME are so valuable for putting Victoria and Australia’s business events offering on the world stage with planners and decision makers,” said Mack. “At Tourism Australia we are very passionate about business events and we have a vast program of work to market Australia as a world-class business events destination.”
AIME 2026 runs from Monday, 9 February to Wednesday, 11 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the opening day concluding with the Welcome Event under the theme Aimagination at Evoqé in Melbourne’s CBD.
