The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), the must attend event in the Asia-Pacific region for the meetings and events industry, and the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) have announced the addition of two new tours to the AIME 2012 Pre-Touring Program.
Pre touring is available to participants of AIME’s Hosted Buyer Program with tours commencing on 18 February 2012, prior to the start of the main event.
AIME, a Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) event, is approaching its 20th year and will be held on 21 and 22 February 2012 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Available in half-day, full-day and two-day options, AIME’s Pre Touring Program for 2012 comprises of 11 tours in total, including the addition of these two new touring options:
Hume City Council – Full day
Hosted Buyers can choose to sample award-winning wines in the cellars of historic wineries, visit the birthplace of cricket’s ‘The Ashes’ at Rupertswood Mansion, or brush shoulders with retired racehorse champions at Living Legends. From bluestone architecture to flora and fauna, the Hume City region is only a short drive from Melbourne’s Central Business District, and within close proximity to Melbourne Airport.
Melbourne Coffee Tour – Half Day
Cafe culture is a highlight in Melbourne and this tour provides Hosted Buyers with the chance to explore the city’s most frequented hot spots. Introducing Melbourne’s elaborate coffee history, which began in Bourke Hill, this tour visits the city’s oldest roasting houses and challenges all participants to develop ‘cupping skills’ inciting the passion of coffee in all.
In addition, the AIME Pre Touring Program offers tours to Ballarat; Bendigo, Geelong and the Bellarine; Phillip Island; Southern Grampians; Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs; Mornington Peninsula; Melbourne Golden Mile Walk; and Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
Keith Herdman, acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MCVB, said that the organisation is committed to providing varied and beneficial pre touring itineraries for AIME’s international and domestic buyers and is excited to be able to add two uniquely Melbourne experiences to the touring offering in 2012.
“Melbourne has an established reputation as one of the world’s leading business events’ destinations, having secured Australia’s biggest increase in the number of international meetings in 2010*,Herdman said.
“To highlight why Melbourne and regional Victoria is a desired meetings and incentives destination we are delighted to showcase the diversity of products and services we can offer and add to the pre touring options available to AIME’s international and domestic buyers in 2012.”
*Based on results in 2010 according to the latest Union of International Associations (UIA) report, released in June 2011.
To access AIME’s full Pre Touring Program, click here.
