The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) announced that its Knowledge Monday programme will focus on the theme Expertise Matters, casting the spotlight on the credibility, clarity, and strategic importance of the business events industry.
The theme was presented today, 24th September, along with the updated Advisory Committee that will help shape the event’s highly anticipated learning platform.
Expertise Matters champions professionals who bring deep expertise into the industry by recognising patterns before problems arise, navigating complexity with composure, and uniting people with purpose and precision.
Building on the success of 2025’s We Matter theme, where the focus was on self-acknowledgement and self-leadership, the theme for 2026 continues the conversation by elevating the role of industry expertise in driving progress, creating impact, and transforming how people connect and grow.
The Knowledge Monday programme is part of the slate for hosted buyers, hosted media, and exhibitors, though visitor-buyers attended may purchase a ticket upgrade to attend.
Because expertise truly matters in MICE
AIME event director Silke Calder says the theme underscores the vital role of expertise in shaping the industry’s future.
She pointed out how AIME’s mission is to provide a platform that reflects the credibility and confidence of our industry, bringing together the best minds, the most innovative ideas, and the leaders who are redefining what’s possible.
Calder said: “With the guidance of El Kwang and BEAMexperience, and the dedication of our esteemed Advisory Committee, we are able to shape a Knowledge Monday program that truly reflects the strength and insight of our industry. ‘Expertise Matters!’ highlights the knowledge and insight that drive meaningful outcomes for businesses and communities worldwide. Knowledge Monday in 2026 will empower our attendees to step forward as leaders, confident in the impact they create.”
The next phase of evolution
Curated by BEAMexperience founder El Kwang, Knowledge Monday is the opening salvo for AIME 2026 on 9th February 2026, featuring keynote speakers, thought-leaders, and industry innovators who will inspire and empower more than 1500 global event professionals.
For Kwang, next year’s theme is a natural evolution of the journey begun in 2025.
He said: “The success of ‘We Matter!’ in 2025 laid the essential groundwork. With ‘Expertise Matters!’ we evolve the conversation, because in the age of AI, being deeply human has never been more relevant. What sets our industry apart is not just what we know, but how we express and apply that expertise.
Guiding the development of the topics and speaker line-up is the Knowledge Monday Advisory Committee which is made up of eight leaders from across the Asia Pacific business events industry.
The Committee works collaboratively to ensure the program sparks interest, stirs debate, and engages all areas of the sector.
The 2026 Advisory Committee is made up of:
- Ashleigh Cooper, Events Manager, Charter Hall
- Maggie Diasinos, Account Director, MCI Australia
- Max Jantasuwan, Founder & CEO, Events Travel Asia Group
- Ronald Lim, Business Events Strategist, Think Event by Think Tank Productions
- Sarah Markey-Hamm, CEO, ICMS
- Denise Sorrell, Director of Events, Australian Dental Industry Association
- Felicity Zadro, Founder & Managing Director, Zadro
The 2026 committee also welcomes a new member into the fold: Sight Agency founder and chief amazement officer Anna Patterson.
