The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) will now take place from 15-17 March at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, incorporating a new virtual format.

The event, originally slated to take place in February 2021, will be delivered in a hybrid event model, as uncertainty around international travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“We understand that we all have a role to play in driving business events to help rebuild global economies and the new hybrid AIME is being designed to quickly help kick-start our industry in 2021,” said Matt Pearce, CEO, Talk2 Media & Events, the organisers of AIME.

“By moving the show to March, we are giving the industry some extra time to adjust to post-COVID conditions as well as providing them with a road to new business opportunity.”

A poll conducted during a recent Joint Meeting Industry Council webinar revealed 89 per cent of attendees expect to see hybrid events in 2021.

With this is in mind, Talk2 Media & Events has decided AIME 2021 will go ahead in a hybrid model that will see exhibitors, hosted buyers and visitors attend either in person in Melbourne and virtually via the AIME online event portal.

The organisers are still exploring how the hybrid event will look, but say the virtual component means meetings will no longer be restricted to the physical show dates and the Knowledge Program content will be accessible at any time.

Further improvements are also in the works across the show, including an updated meeting matching process to deliver better meeting outcomes for exhibitors and buyers, plus virtual networking opportunities and new activations on the show floor.

Penny Lion, executive general manager events at Tourism Australia supported AIME’s move to a hybrid event.

“The recovery of Australia’s business events industry will depend on careful planning, unity, and the industry coming together,” she said.

“If all things go as planned, AIME 2021 will be an early opportunity to renew business relationships, to be inspired and to start planning the events which will put the industry back on its feet.”

The AIME Hosted Buyer program will go ahead in both a virtual and physical format.

Find more details about AIME 2021 here.

Read about the highlights from AIME 2020 below: