Expertise, connection and global opportunity will take centre stage when the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2026 returns to Melbourne this February.
Slated for 9th to 11th February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), AIME will again serve as a critical meeting point for the region’s business events leaders, setting the agenda for the year ahead.
More than 750 exhibitors will attend AIME 2026, which will be the biggest show delivered under event director Silke Calder and her team from Talk2 Media & Events.
The show floor will bring together convention bureaux, convention centres, hotels and resorts, unique venues, destination management companies, airlines, cruise operators, event technology providers and production and AV specialists from every Australian state and territory.
The world comes to Melbourne
International participation is again a key drawcard in 2026, with new countries on the show floor including South Africa, the UAE, Uganda and Egypt, joining returning destinations including New Zealand, Macao, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Fiji, Japan, Korea, Samoa, Monaco, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Canada and the United States.
In total, 36 countries will be represented, reflecting AIME’s growing international reach and influence.
Calder said of the upcoming event: “AIME continues to be a catalyst for connection, ideas and long-term partnerships. We are creating the biggest show yet delivered by our team, and that growth is driven by a community that recognises the importance of coming together.”
At the heart of AIME’s value proposition is its robust buyer program: over 700 highly vetted hosted buyers will attend AIME 2026, travelling from across the globe.
Across the two-day tradeshow on 10th and 11th February, more than 20,000 pre-scheduled meetings between hosted buyers and exhibitors will take place, underpinning the event’s reputation as a high-performing platform for business development and partnership-building.
In total, more than 5000 people are expected to attend, including more than 40 media representatives from around the world.
As an UFI-approved event, AIME continues to set the benchmark for scale and impact in the region, while strengthening Melbourne’s position as a leading destination for business events in the Asia Pacific.
All set for another outstanding year
AIME 2026 arrives following a standout year, after being named Best Event in 2025 and Best Trade Show in 2025 at the Australian Business Events Association Awards.
For Calder, the recognition reflects a collective effort, saying: “To be recognised as Best Event of the Year is a remarkable honour for AIME. It reflects the strength of our industry and the collaboration that underpins everything we do.”
In 2026, attendees will notice a refreshed approach to the show floor, with new zoning designed to enhance navigation, discovery and networking.
Returning zones have expanded footprints, including The Boutique, featuring over 40 exhibitors specialising in venues and experiences, and the DMC Network, with more than 30 destination management companies.
A dedicated Tech Zone returns, alongside a larger Hotel Zone, reflecting strong demand across accommodation and hospitality.
Show floor activations continue to add depth to the experience, as the Hosted Buyers Lounge remains a central hub, while the AIME Ideas Academy on the Floor, presented by Spice Magazine, returns in an expanded format, delivering fast-paced discussions and practical insights.
On Tuesday, 10th February, An Eventful Life podcast will record a live episode on the show floor, adding to the buzz and shared industry conversation.
Following the successful debut of AIPC @ AIME in 2025, AIME will once again partner with the International Association of Convention Centres to deliver a dedicated summit for convention and exhibition centres on Wednesday, 11th February, further strengthening AIME’s role as a platform for sector-wide dialogue.
In addition, the AIME 2026 Leaders Forum hosted by ABEA will be held on Monday, 9th February, and will bring together the leaders of the business events industry to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Beyond the show floor, anticipation is building for AIME’s highly anticipated Welcome Event on the evening of Monday, 9th February.
Long regarded as one of the standout moments of the week, the Welcome Event brings the industry together in a relaxed and memorable setting.
Details will be revealed in early February, with organisers promising an experience designed to delight and surprise attendees.
According to Calder: “The Welcome Event is always one of the highlights of AIME, offering the perfect opportunity for our industry to reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the globe.”
Experts abound at Knowledge Monday
Opening the event, Knowledge Monday on 9th February will set the strategic tone for AIME 2026 under the theme, Expertise Matters!, spotlighting the credibility, clarity and influence business events professionals bring to an increasingly complex global environment.
Calder said: “At AIME, our 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.”
The programme will feature keynote perspectives and a choice of breakout sessions across core themes including strategy and leadership, event design, technology and AI, talent development and sustainability.
Curated in collaboration with BEAMexperience Founder El Kwang and supported by an advisory committee of eight industry leaders from across Asia Pacific, the day is designed to be practical, relevant and immediately applicable.
Calder remarked: “Event planners are the busiest they have ever been, so the quality of the content you offer has to be on point. People are coming to Knowledge Monday sessions wanting to take something away.”
As AIME 2026 approaches, the message is clear. In an era defined by rapid change and digital acceleration, the power of people coming together remains central to business success.
As Calder puts it: “The one-on-one, the people getting together is still as important, if not more important, in our times of technology. The power is in people getting together. That’s where business happens.”
