AIME FUTURE IS BRIGHT - KAREN BOLINGER

MELBOURNE Convention Bureau (MCB) ceo Karen Bolinger says the current request for tender in relation to the management of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) for 2019 and 2020 is an exciting opportunity to “review the whole show,” with a new operator expected to introduce new elements and reinvigorate AIME going forward.

The show is currently managed by Reed Travel Exhibitions, which has organised AIME since 2001.

Last month the MCB formally invited Expressions of Interest from exhibition and event organisations to undertake the management and operation of AIME in 2019 and 2020, at the time saying the tender process was a “necessary and regular part of business as MCB approaches the end of its contractual term with Reed Exhibitions”.

While Reed was invited to participate in the tender process, the industry was taken aback when the company declined to retender for the contract (BEN 30 Jan 2017).

Reed’s portfolio director Kerry Prince told Business Events News the decision

reflected a strategic direction by the company to focus on events that it owns 100%, while AIME director Ian Wainwright confirmed that Reed was fully committed to maintaining an excellent show for this year and 2018.

“We understand and respect their decision,” Bolinger said.

However after next year’s event a new organisation will be in charge. Bolinger told BEN she was excited that some “great Australian suppliers” were among

the shortlist to take over the show, with prospective managers viewing AIME 2017 before coming back with firm proposals in the next few weeks.

She said she was very impressed at the level of interest and the quality of applications received, with MCB expecting to make an announcement about the ongoing management of AIME for 2019 and 2020 sometime in Apr this year.

While there are no specific changes in mind at this stage, Bolinger said any decisions would be informed by the McCrindle research study released earlier this week (BEN Mon) which looked at the future of meetings as technology evolves.

“We want to embrace the findings and make sure AIME leads best practice into the future,” she said.

Bolinger said she had received great feedback from exhibitors at this year’s show, with participants citing quality buyer meetings, a “massively successful” welcome party and an overall positive vibe.

“People are booking business here, which is key,” she said.