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30 April 2009
AIME 09 (17th Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo) held in Melbourne in February, has confirmed its record breaking status as the premier business events trade show in the Asia Pacific following an audit by the Circulations Audit Board (CAB).
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty in the global meetings and incentive industry, AIME 2009 increased its total attendance by 10% on the previous year. A total of 3,581 visitors including 467 Hosted Buyers and 71 media representatives visited the two-day event. AIME’s trade visitor numbers rose by 12.5%, from 2,768 in 2008 to 3,114. The audit also showed that 832 people visited AIME more than once in the two day period.
Exhibitor numbers set a new record with 854 exhibiting companies from 50 countries participating, an increase of 3.8% on last year. Australian exhibitor numbers increased from 354 in 2008 to 396 at AIME 09. The number of exhibitors from
Asia
also increased from 261 in 2008 to 296 this year. The remaining 162 exhibitors came from
New Zealand
, the Pacific or from other international destinations.
AIME continued to attract new and different exhibitors with first time exhibitors rising by 22% from 244 to 298.
“These results prove both the resilience of the meetings and incentive industry and the industry’s recognition of AIME as an important event at which to conduct business, meet new buyers and achieve objectives,” said Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition Director, Meetings & Incentive Events, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
“AIME is a testament to the fact that events that bring buyers and sellers face to face are even more important in challenging economic conditions,” he said.
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau CEO Sandra Chipchase said that given the economic climate the results were extremely satisfying.
“AIME is a catalyst that stimulates growth in meetings and incentive business in the Asia Pacific region,” Ms Chipchase said.
“The networking opportunities for Hosted Buyers, trade visitors and exhibitors such as our Welcome Reception for more than 2,300 visitors,
Melbourne
’s Dine Around Program and the AIME networking hours provided a perfect platform for business discussions.
“Much of the resulting business will occur in the region within the next two years, stimulating the business tourism industry in many countries and bringing real economic results to those regions. The benefits to
Melbourne
and
Australia
are also enormous.”
AIME Research Results
The results of independent research conducted by Micromex Research confirmed AIME’s reputation as the leading event in the region.
Despite financial market uncertainties, the economic benefits of AIME to the meetings and incentive industry are higher than last year. Business valued at US$649 million (up from $551 million last year) is expected to be booked as a result of AIME 09, resulting in an expected 3,442,710 room nights in convention and incentive business.
Hosted Buyer Research
330 of AIME’s 467 hosted buyers completed the AIME survey.
- 93% of respondents had placed or were likely to place business as a result of attending AIME 09.
- 99% of respondents were ‘satisfied’ to ‘very satisfied’ with AME in terms of meeting their objectives
- 95% believed it was ‘beneficial’ to ‘very beneficial’ to attend AIME on a yearly basis
- 97% were likely to recommend the event to associates
- 94% or respondents consider AIME to be a ‘must see’ event.
Visitor Research
An exit survey of 289 randomly selected visitors was taken at AIME 09.
- 97% of respondents indicated that they were ‘satisfied’ to ‘very satisfied’ that AIME 09 helped meet their business objectives
- 90% or respondents believed it was ‘beneficial’ to ‘very beneficial’ to attend AIME on a yearly basis
- 88% of respondents said they would recommend AIME to colleagues
- 79% indicated that they had placed or were likely to place business with exhibitors.
Exhibitor Research
252 exhibiting companies completed the AIME survey.
- 92% of exhibtiors intend to exhibit at AIME 2010
- 85% agreed that AIME is a ‘must exhibit’ event
- 91% of respondents said it was beneficial to exhibit at AIME
- 89% or respondents were ‘satisfied’ to ‘very satisfied’ with AIME
- On average each exhibitor generated 17 business leads during AIME 09.
The AIME 2009 Post Show Report can be downloaded from the AIME website: www.aime.com.au
AIME 2010 will be held on 2 & 3 March at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Australia
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