By Gwen O’Toole

The Australian events sector will remain strong despite the economic downturn, Reed Exhibitions group exhibition director, Paul Kennedy, said yesterday (Feb 17) at the opening press conference for AIME at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
 
Kennedy said the industry was showing strength and confidence in Melbourne as an event destination with a record 868 exhibitors participating in this year’s show — a 5 per cent increase on last year.
 
Kennedy called on event planners to work smarter as events and incentives are likely to come under scrutiny, adding that event planners needed to be mindful of the sensitivity surrounding corporate expenditure and focus on displaying a clear return on investment for the events they hold.

To see the press conference in full, click on the icon above.