The 2020 Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is wrapping up today after hosting more than 330 exhibitors and 2,500 industry visitors.

Kicking off the three-day running of AIME 2020, the Knowledge Exchange connected delegates from all over the world for a day of education and community building.

Speakers at the awaited segment included Emergent chief executive Holly Ransom, who spoke of unpacking leadership skills for survival in a hyperconnected world; and The Mathem Group chief executive Christopher Kai, who explored the power of human connections in business events.

Here are just some of the things that have gone down so far at the annual industry gathering…

Cvent unveils new industry research

Following on, Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, shared the results of its latest research into the Australian and New Zealand events industry.

The findings revealed that despite the evolution of technology and rising attendee expectations, the problems faced by event planners and marketers remain the same, with a low adoption of technology by event professionals.

According to the study, which surveyed more than 400 event and marketing professionals, only 29 per cent of respondents expected to see an increase in their event budget, while 62 per cent said it would remain the same. Cvent said this underpins a dependence on more cost-effective, yet inefficient and problematic, manual processes.

In addition, 61 per cent of event professionals are still handling most of their tasks using manual tools like Excel spreadsheets and email, processes Cvent said are not only inefficient and time-consuming but are not a secure way to collect attendee data.

Saxton Speakers hits the stage

Australia’s largest speakers bureau, Saxton Speakers, presented annual roadshow Saxton Live at AIME 2020, showcasing the valuable role played by speakers in the business events experience.

A line up of speakers from the Saxton stable each took to the stage for a 10-minute presentation, including 16-year old slam poet Holley Somerville-Knott, technology evangelist Chris Riddell, and Australian musician Kate Ceberano, among others.

“Saxton Live is a snapshot of the impact a speaker can have on an event – how a small window of time can have a lasting impression on motivation, inspiration and imagination,” Saxton CEO Anne Jamieson said.

AIME delegates surf waves at Australia’s first surf park

URBNSURF (Instagram/@urbnsurf)

Early in the event’s three-day procession, Australia’s first surf park, URBNSURF Melbourne, hosted an intimate group of delegates as part of AIME’s Uncover Melbourne program.

Designed to challenge expectations and reveal a whole new perspective that appeals to the next generation of event buyers and planners, guests were greeted by the URBNSURF team before receiving an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of the $30 million surf park.

Melbourne rolls out the red carpet

Meanwhile, hosted buyers and media attending AIME 2020 experienced a sophisticated night full of glamour at the Uncover Melbourne Gala, hosted at the Ian Potter Queens Hall – one of the State Library Victoria’s unique heritage spaces.

Showcasing Melbourne to an international audience, Showtime Event Group partnered with the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) for the third consecutive year as the exclusive caterer for the gala.

Entertainment by Solution Entertainment ensured guests were treated to the full red-carpet experience that kicked off upon arrival on the iconic steps of the State Library.

“Our gala partners once again delivered to an incredibly high standard and proved their vast knowledge of business events,” MCB chief executive Julia Wanson said.

“Their innovation, flexibility, creativity and professionalism were shown every step of the way.”

Showtime Event Group general manager Brad Dabbs added MCB has an incredible knack in showcasing Melbourne, “which contributes to ensuring the city remains one of the world’s leading business events destinations.”

CENTREPIECE comes to life

Scheduled for completion in late 2021, Melbourne & Olympic Parks’ CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park venue was on display for delegates attending AIME, with a stand on the show floor embodying the venue’s surrounding native Australian landscape.

Guests were also offered the opportunity to book a visit to the precinct to see its location firsthand.

Currently in the third and final stage of its $972 million redevelopment, the new events centre will span three levels and offer indoor and outdoor function spaces that are suitable for any event.

On top of this, the venue has the flexibility to cater for 10 to 3,000 guests, with the main ballroom capable of being transformed into any configuration for events, seating up to 1,400 guests for a gala dinner and its maximum capacity for cocktail parties.