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26th February 2009
MCVB was awarded:
AIME 2008 – Victorian exhibition of the year
The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), and its exhibition partners Reed Travel Exhibitions, has been awarded Exhibition of the Year for the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meeting Expo (AIME) 2008 for the second year running at the State level of the prestigious Meetings & Events Australia Industry Awards.
An annual event established and owned by the MCVB and organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), AIME showcases the Asia Pacific region’s meetings and incentive product to the international and national buyers of Business Events.
AIME 2008 - the largest event of its kind in
Australia
, and arguably the most significant in the region - was judged on a host of criteria, including: project planning; financial performance; challenges and responses; exhibition significance, and; outcomes and evidence.
In support of its submission for Exhibition of the Year, highlights of AIME 2008 include:
- Business valued at more than US$551 million was expected to be booked as a result of AIME 2008, resulting in more than 2 million room nights in convention and incentive business for the Asia Pacific region.
- 92% of hosted buyer respondents had placed or were likely to place business as a result of attending AIME 2008
- 96% of respondents were satisfied with AIME in terms of meeting their objectives
- 96% of exhibitors surveyed said it was beneficial to exhibit at AIME
- Visitor attendance at AIME 2008 was up 25% (to 3,260 visitors) compared with 2007.
Ms Sandra Chipchase, MCVB’s CEO, said that receiving such recognition by industry and independent judges testified to the event’s significance and success.
‘AIME generates enormous revenue for
Melbourne
, regional
Victoria
and
Australia
. It also attracts buyers and media from around the world, allowing us to showcase
Victoria
as a world-leading Business Events destination. This generates business and international publicity for Melbourne and Victoria, which in turn creates jobs for Victorians in our important industry.’
Mr Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition Director RTE, said:
‘AIME contributes significantly to the growth and development of the meetings industry throughout Australia, attracting new products and services to Australia, generating new events, incentives and conventions in the region, and facilitating the exchange of information and new ideas.
‘The fact that AIME continues to grow in size and significance, despite the challenging global economic climate, attests to the event’s results in generating real returns for all who attend – buyers, exhibitors and visitors alike.’
Ms Chipchase said she was delighted that AIME was again recognised at the MEA Awards.
‘To win this prestigious Award two years running attests to the event’s significance, superior management and business delivery. MCVB is delighted to have achieved this outcome with Reed Travel Exhibitions.’
Ms Chipchase said that, having won at a State level, she looked forward to the event now being in the running for a national award at next month’s National MEA Awards.
MCVB’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Awarded by MEA
The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau has been recognised for its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives at the Victorian State level of the prestigious Meetings & Events Australia Industry Awards.
In 2007/08, MCVB instituted a record number of green initiatives, and also achieved a series of environmental firsts for any Australian Convention Bureau.
The MEA CSR award also recognised MCVB’s contribution to instituting lasting legacies beyond Business Events held in Melbourne and Victoria, including significant fundraising initiatives for local charities.
MCVB’s CEO, Ms Sandra Chipchase, said she was delighted to see Corporate Social Responsibility recognised as a stand-alone award by the meetings and events industry.
‘Corporate Social Responsibility is, rightfully, a growing practice within the Business Events industry, and I am proud that MCVB has been recognised for its leadership role on the CSR front by our industry peers.
‘During the period of 2007/08, MCVB developed an Environmental and Corporate Social Responsibility Policy with the objective of guiding members and stakeholders, including employees, on the CSR elements that must drive the conduct of MCVB’s business.
‘As part of MCVB’s commitment to promoting and delivering sustainable Business Events, and implementing improved environmental practices through our domestic and international operations, MCVB delivered a series of environmental initiatives.
‘These included launching the Melbourne's 'Green Credentials' Summary Report, which identifies green initiatives undertaken by Victorian government bodies and Business Event suppliers – allowing event planners to book a green venue and run a green event in Melbourne with ease.
‘MCVB is also committed to leading by example, and in 2008 set a new benchmark for exhibitions in Australia by running Melbourne’s 2008 Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) as a Climate Neutral™ event.’
Ms Chipchase said MCVB’s CSR initiatives to support the community were also recognised in the MEA Award.
‘A major highlight within the last year saw MCVB working with Amway Greater China to raise over $57,000 for Melbourne children’s charity, Berry Street, by hosting a Health Run during the Amway Greater China Leadership Seminar – Melbourne’s largest ever incentive event.
‘MCVB also works with those holding Business Events in
Melbourne
to make a lasting contribution to the community through education and information sharing. An example of this was offering the broader
Melbourne
community opportunities to interact with world leading neuroscientists in public forums linked with the 7th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience, which was secured for
Melbourne
by MCVB.
‘From reducing and offsetting the carbon emissions of our events, to contributing to charities through innovative fundraising and public education forums, I am delighted that MCVB’s CSR initiatives have been recognised and awarded by our esteemed industry colleagues, and I hope that this success will continue at the National MEA Awards in April,’ Ms Chipchase said.
MCVB’s record results applauded at MEA Awards
The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has been awarded Metropolitan Convention Bureau/Tourism Organisation for the second year running at the Victorian State level of the prestigious Meetings & Events Australia Industry Awards.
MCVB’s CEO, Ms Sandra Chipchase, said that the Award capped a record year of achievement for the Bureau, with MCVB’s activities attracting 70,000 delegates to
Victoria
, injecting more than $261 million into the
Victorian
State
economy.
‘Melbourne’s superior convention facilities, reputation as a great city to visit, commitment to environmental sustainability and innovative bid strategies saw the city secure the greatest number of
intern
ational Business Events wins ever achieved in one year.
‘From a sales perspective, we have capitalised on, and further developed,
Melbourne
’s reputation as a world leading destination for medicine, science and innovation.
Melbourne
has secured major
intern
ational events ranging from nursing to ageing and from geophysics to infection control, despite increasing competition globally.
‘MCVB’s success in attracting incentive travel business also continues to grown, and in 2008 we staged the biggest incentive event ever held in Melbourne, the Amway Greater China Leadership seminar.
‘To win this MEA Award two years running attests to the strength of the MCVB team and our members, as well as to our commitment to fostering winning partnerships to achieve results.
‘MCVB looks forward to capitalising on Victoria’s strengths, from award-winning environmentally friendly facilities and accommodation, to unique touring experiences, to build upon MCVB’s unique business acquisition strategies and to grow Victoria’s popularity with both delegates and event planners as a desired Business Events destination,’ Ms Chipchase said.
The elated MCVB team at the Victorian awards
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