Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has launched its 2021 Hosted Buyer program, designed to kickstart the industry and provide some certainty to participants in these uncertain times.
To continue the path of success laid out from the reimagined 2019 and 2020 events, 2021 heralds a new era for AIME. The parameters of events are evolving, and AIME is leading the change by adopting a hybrid model to ensure greater connectivity across the globe.
With border closures in question, the Hosted Buyer program has evolved to welcome physical hosted buyers to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 15-17 March and virtual hosted buyers via the online event platform from 15-26 March. This new truly hybrid experience ensures that buyers no matter where they are in the world, can participate at AIME to do business, network and learn.
The 2021 show is set to bring together over 450 Australian and International carefully vetted hosted buyers that are ready to do business in the region. In 2020, 50 per cent of hosted buyers were new to AIME and the team are working hard to continue attracting fresh new buyers for 2021.
“Finding the right buyers has always been important, and after the impact we have all felt this year, it is critical now more than ever to reconnect and kickstart the business events industry together. The landscape has changed, and we can no longer take our connections and network for granted,” stated Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media and Events.
The traditional AIME Hosted Buyer program has been adapted to recognise the challenges of attending virtual events. Physical hosted buyers will still commit to 32 pre-schedule appointments (PSAs), while virtual hosted buyers only commit to 16 PSAs. By reducing the number of appointments for virtual hosted buyers and extending the period in which virtual appointments can be conducted, attendees can better manage their screen time without suffering ‘zoom fatigue’.
The new look program also includes an updated meeting matching approach, virtual access to all Knowledge program content, as well as new features including a Buyer Lounge, virtual networking events and a new buyer activation that will be launched in the coming months.
Bernadette Panton, AIME Hosted Buyer Manager said that they as an industry are rebuilding what they once knew, and since opening the program in mid-July they have seen buyers from across the globe registering to take part. A clear indication that the industry is ready to get back to business stated.
AIME 2021 will be the first opportunity to come together and reconnect with a common desire to bring business back to the region.
Tags: Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), Tourism
