By Gwen O’Toole

Corporate Social Responsibility will be the focus of the popular Business Events Forum at the 2009 AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) held in Melbourne next year.

AIME 2009 will take place next February in Melbourne

The education program has been announced by organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions and Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau and will feature an international panel facilitated by Business Events Council of Australia executive director, Elizabeth Rich.

The Forum will provide information on how organisations can adapt business practices to operate in a way that meets or exceeds the ethical, social and environmental expectations of today’s society.

The AIME Master Class program will continue in 2009 with 10 one-hour sessions providing a range of information on event planning, networking, recruitment and career planning, technology and more. Hosted Buyers will also have access to a special master class, scheduled to complement their appointment schedules.

“We have worked closely with Event Planners Australia, a professional conference organiser to deliver the most relevant topics for buyers and delegates to AIME 09,” said acting event director, Elizabeth Sarian.

“Exit surveys plus a later email survey to gain feedback from visitors on topics and speakers they are most interested in cemented our approach to deliver relevant intellectual content and provide a strong facilitator for each session. Suggested topics such as technology, human resources, time management and ROI have been included in the program,” she said.

For further information on the AIME Education Program, bookings and to register for AIME 09 visit the AIME website: http://www.aime.com.au/ AIME is at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Australia, 17 & 18 February 2009.