aime daily 2016 day 1

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) will continue to evolve to reflect the vibrant Australian business events industry whilst highlighting the very best of the Asia-Pacific region.

Speaking on Business Events Australia’s work, John O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, says the activities being undertaken to showcase Australia on the world stage work in partnership with the Australian business events industry.

“In 2015, we focused our efforts on markets and sectors where our work can provide the greatest return on investment, including a stronger commitment to the associations sector, and more strategic partnerships with Australian convention bureaux, professional conference organisers and the business events industry,” he says.

“And we will continue to deliver results for the industry in 2016.”

Karen Bolinger, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau, says new investment and

infrastructure is underway to further support the city’s flourishing business events sector.

“2016 and beyond are years of important development in Melbourne and Victoria with an additional $210 million being invested by the State Government in the expansion of the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, which will add 20,000sqm making it the largest centre in Australia,” she says.

“Plus seven new hotels will open in Melbourne, creating 1400 new rooms in the city and increasing our capacity by 7 per cent in just two short years.”

Sallie Coventry, ibtm event Portfolio Director, says the strength of the Australian business events industry makes it a leader in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Our ibtm events across the globe, like AIME, give businesses the opportunities to connect, creating a strong and cohesive community,” she says.

Ian Wainwright, AIME Event Director, says

AIME will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the business events industry.

“The knowledge and creativity that abounds in our industry is what makes the business events industry exceptional,” he says.

“This year, we have focused on capturing the knowledge and experience of our industry and delivering this content in tangible packages through our knowledge program, free for all exhibitors and visitors for the very first time. Plus we’ve added a dedicated series of education sessions for our Hosted Buyers.

“We also welcome our ibtm events global partner, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau for the first year, who is leading a strong contingent of international exhibitors.

“AIME will never stop evolving and never stop striving to meet the needs of all participants. We look forward to bringing new, creative and inspiring ideas, reflective of our buzzing community, to you for many years to come.”

Australia’s flourishing business events

DAY ONE

OFFICIALAIMEDAILY24th Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

M E L B O U R N E 2 0 1 6

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre • 23 - 24 February, 2016

John O’Sullivan, Tourism Australia, Karen Bolinger, MCB Chief Executive, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Sallie Coventry, ibtm events, Ian Wainwright, AIME Event Director.

SYDNEYSHINES.COM.AU

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“In the last 25 years, I have visited and experienced some of the most exciting cities in the world but there is simply none that comes anywhere close to what I experienced in Sydney!”

— Ashwin Narayanan, CEO of Travel Tours, India

AUSTRALIAN CITY FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EVENTSSydney is the meeting place of people, opinions and ideas, home to individuals, institutions and industries that are pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

— ICCA and UIA Rankings 2014

It's work and play!

Date: Tuesday, 23 February Time: 4.45 – 6.00 pm Sydney stand: 4632

Back by popular demand, sample our SYDNEY SHINES cocktail – inspired by ingredients that our social media followers have identified as uniquely Sydney. And, have your very own caricature created set against the backdrop of our world-famous icons.

Connect with NSW's world-class business event suppliers and the teams from BESydney and International Convention Centre Sydney. We’ll be there to answer all your questions about holding an international event in a city that truly shines as one of the world's favourite places to meet.

Sponsored by

LET'S MEET

No.1

EXPERT ADVICE AND SUPPORT for international events - from venue sourcing, sponsorship, legacy creation and delegate lobbying to the final goodbyes at the airport WHOLE-OF-CITY APPROACH Connections to industry, business, academia and government EXTENSIVE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Partner with Sydney and NSW’s convention bureau, who has been delivering exceptional events for more than 40 years Image credits:

Photos: Hamilton Lund and James Horan courtesy of Destination New South Wales

Come and be inspired in a city where anything is possible. We can help you to bring your ideas to life in Sydney. Just ask us how!

Visit us on stand #4632 or get in contact after the show: [email protected] or (02) 9331 4045

Minister Stuart Ayres MP with Dreamtime 2015 delegates

4 AIMEDaily 2016

Always evolving, delivering new ways to connect

Welcome to the 24th edition of the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) here in “Marvellous Melbourne”.

I am thrilled to be here for the first time in this position, leading an extremely talented and passionate team to deliver the AIME 2016, with the theme of “where inspiration begins”.

After attending AIME numerous times during my career as a Hosted Buyer and visitor from many different perspectives including corporate, association and not-for-profit, I’m confident that this year is going to be our best yet.

The knowledge and creativity that abounds in our industry is what makes the business events industry so exceptional. This year, we have heavily invested in capturing the knowledge and experience of our industry and delivering this content in tangible packages through our AIME Knowledge Program, which we’ve made easily accessible on the show floor, free for all attendees for the first time. It is the centrepiece of our show and will offer event professionals a range of best-practice case studies, technology solutions, plus future trend predictions and advice on how to make the most of them.

We have brought together the best minds in our industry, and a range of inspiring and unique speakers from the Saxton ‘up close and personal’ sessions will share stories from outside of our industry, stories of personal and professional triumphs that will leave attendees energised to deliver more every single day.

Bringing the education sessions onto the show floor is one of the many changes that we have instigated. This year, we’ve taken a head and heart approach. We know that events need to serve a business purpose and deliver ROI, but we also know that the people who work in events love what they do and they’ve got an emotional connection to their

work, so AIME needs to be fun and provide that opportunity to build new connections.

Our AIME Community Hub returns for a second year. Designed by our Creative Partner, leading Australian events agency EMG, the AIME Community Hub will have an unconventional design, featuring key technologies set to disrupt the events industry including virtual reality, 3D visualisation tools and interactive screens. It is set to truly surprise and thrill.

We have brought the Community Hub concept back in a very different way, allowing destinations, venues, event managers and suppliers new ideas for how to incorporate technologies in order to enhance their way of doing business.

This year will feature a number of new exhibitors on the show floor, and we are proud to truly reflect the Asia-Pacific

industry, with exhibitors coming from Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Macau and Singapore, just to mention a few. We are also glad to announce that Fiji will still be taking part in this year’s show.

We are also proud to have the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau on board as the ibtm events global partner this year.

AIME will never stop evolving, and we look forward to bringing you new, creative and most importantly inspiring ideas over the next two days and the next two decades.

I look forward to catching up with all of you on the show floor, and encourage you to engage with the AIME community across our social media channels over the next couple of days. It will be a jam packed, exciting and inspiring atmosphere and we look forward to welcoming you through the doors of AIME 2016.

AIME • MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

AIMEDaily 2016 5

Community Hub to showcase technology

www.cimmagazine.com

Designed by AIME’s Creative Partner, Australian events agency EMG, the Community Hub will have an unconventional design, featuring key technologies set to disrupt the events industry like virtual reality, 3D visualisation tools and interactive screens.

AIME Event Director Ian Wainwright says the Hub gives the events community the opportunity to discover new technologies whilst networking and doing business.

“We have brought the Community Hub concept back for the second year, in a very different way that will give destinations, venues, event managers and suppliers new ideas of how to incorporate technologies to enhance their way of doing business,” he says.

“With technology the largest disruptor to the way the world does business, having a number of unique solutions presented in this central space will benefit attendees to AIME.”

EMG Director Peter Jack says the industry “is ripe for disruption”.

“By demonstrating how technology can bring events to life will help the industry realise opportunities in this space. We are

incorporating emerging and state-of-the-art technologies into the Community Hub to transform physical space into immersive experiences. These experiences have the opportunity to completely transform the future direction of our industry, firmly putting AIME at the forefront.”

In an AIME first, EMG is collaborating with Scann3d to deliver 3600 video and virtual reality technology (VR) to the Community Hub.

“The three-dimensional computerised environment that VR simulates is so lifelike it redefines reality,” says Jack.

“The VR experience will see attendees teleported to hyper-real environments where they will be able to interact with objects in a seemingly real or physical way. Using VR, EMG will showcase some of Melbourne’s most iconic locations in perfect accuracy. Attendees will be able to meander through the city’s famous restaurant laneways, explore Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens and walk down Hosier Lane – all without stepping a foot outside the Community Hub.”

The Community Hub also marks the formal

launch of Displayground’s Interactive Media Wall, a cutting edge technology that combines multimedia content specifically for the events industry. In its simplest form, the Interactive Media Wall acts as a large touchscreen combining multimedia with data capture tools.

“Launching formally at AIME’s Community Hub in 2016, Displayground will showcase imagery, video and a live Instagram feed of tagged images as the action happens,” says Jack. “Pre-loaded content can be triggered by gesture control while the technology captures and provides valuable insights into onscreen content engagement.”

The world’s first 24 hour live booking engine for the events industry, iVvy, is partnering with EMG to showcase its solution and the future of marketing venues and destinations. Further enhancing the iVvy marketplace is its integration of 360 video and 3D visualisations of venues; allowing it to deliver a customer experience like no other.

“Embracing innovation in the sector will see opportunities thrive,” says Jack.

6 AIMEDaily 2016

• The business events sector underpins more than 180,000 Australian jobs and is worth more than $28 billion to our economy.

• More than 37 million people attended more than 412,000 business events across Australia in 2013-14. These business events directly generated $23 billion in total economic contribution and approximately 180,000 jobs (Business Events Council of Australia).

• Business events are already established as critical to meeting the Tourism 2020 objectives of doubling overnight expenditure, with spending by delegates as of December 2014 worth $13 billion,

out of a $16 billion target (Tourism Research Australia).


With a new Minister for Tourism and new Minister for Trade, there has never been a better time to push for the introduction of a Business Events Bid Fund.

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) welcomed last year’s appointment of Richard Colbeck as the new Tourism Minister, and is equally optimistic about the recent news of Steven Ciobo taking over from Andrew Robb as Minister for Trade and Investment.

“Minister Ciobo is a friend of the business events sector, having pitched the most supportive policy package that the industry has seen in recent history during the 2010 federal election campaign as Shadow Minister for Tourism,” says AACB chief executive Andrew Hiebl.

The package included a Business Events Bid Fund of $17.5 million over four years, as well as increased funding available to Business Events Australia of $10.5 million over four years to increase its marketing capacity, bringing Australia closer to its international competitors.

In the hung parliament that followed, the Coalition did not form government and the bid fund proposal was lost.

Australia’s convention bureaux do well in attracting international conventions despite our distance from the major markets of Europe and North America. In 2014, Australia hosted 260 international meetings, ranking it 13th in the world.

However, Australia’s market share is declining in the face of both improved convention facilities and more aggressive bidding elsewhere in the world, particularly in Asia.

Through its 2016-17 Pre-Budget Submission, the AACB has called on the Australian Government to support its keystone policy of establishing a national bid fund of

$10 million per annum to help bring business events of national significance to Australia.

If Australia wants to be able to compete more effectively with its Asia-Pacific rivals, it will need its own national business events bid fund. We should aspire to return to the top 10 of the International Convention & Congress Association rankings, not achieved since 2009, with an Australian city in the top 20.

“Now is the time to bring this policy back to life in order to counter international competition, increase market share and build on the legacy that Andrew Robb has left the industry,” says Hiebl.

Now is the time

Former Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb with AACB President Lyn Lewis-Smith.

Minister for Trade and Investment Steven Ciobo.

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8 AIMEDaily 2016

A centrepiece of the two day tradeshow, the AIME Knowledge Program will offer a range of best-practice case studies, technology solutions and future trends, featuring creative and cutting edge sessions presented by industry leaders.

AIME Event Director Ian Wainwright says the program has been designed to offer tangible solutions in an ever changing marketplace.

“With the event industry constantly adapting to market fluctuations and global influences, it’s vital that the community has solid statistics, research and case studies on which to make immediate decisions, and

assist in preparing for the future,” he says.

“Centred on the key themes of innovation, connection and

engagement, the Knowledge Program draws on experience from

members of all parts of the event community. Their knowledge, advice

and solutions will help event professionals develop themselves and

grow their businesses.”

All AIME Knowledge Program sessions are free to attend and easily

accessible in new purpose built theatres on the show floor.


Today’s AIME Knowledge sessions

AIME Knowledge the key to the future

Using LinkedIn To Build Credibility, Influence And New Opportunities With Big Business

Where: Knowledge Theatre 1

When: 10:15 - 11:00am

Speaker: Sonja Firth, Director, Business Influencer, will demonstrate how LinkedIn can build credibility, and bring new opportunities in the world of big business, as well as gain an understanding of how to successfully turn strangers into contacts, contacts into leads, and leads into long lasting advocates.

Innovative Events In The Future: Trends To Adopt For Your Next Association Event – in partnership with Associations Forum


When: 1:00 - 1:45pm

Speakers: John Peacock, General Manager Associations Forum, and Kandy Musgrave, National Events Manager Australian Veterinary Association, will facilitate a session challenging the audience to consider the latest association event trends and what needs to be done to keep relevant in a constantly changing environment.

The Growing Appetite for Gathering – in partnership with Eventbrite


When: 1:15 - 2:00pm

Speaker: Damien Munro, Senior Business Development Manager – Australia, Eventbrite, will share new research that illustrates the importance of the live experience on the human experience, and trends that point to the health of the industry.

The Black Box of Events: Calculating ROI in partnership with etouches


When: 2:30 - 3:15pm

Speaker: Alan Ivory, Vice President of Professional Services, etouches, will comment on how companies today spend 30 per cent of their marketing on events, but fail to effectively calculate ROI from these events.

Leading Lights From Leading Events – in partnership with EEAA


When: 3:45 - 4:30pm

Speaker: Joyce DiMascio, Chief Executive, Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA), will deliver an engaging session outlining events by members of EEAA that have showcased innovation, best practice and marketing successes.

AIMEDaily 2016 9

www.cimmagazine.com

Global perspectiveWhat’s does an average day look like for you on the show floor? Well, as you can imagine for the team and I, it’s an early start to make sure everything

is on track before we open the doors. I love the energy of our industry and the show floor is a great place to soak it up; with lots of business chatter, great hospitality and dynamic activity on the stands, complemented by the feature areas on the show floor. I love getting out there to catch up with old contacts and meet new ones, and make a point to spend as much time as I can walking the floor and talking to people.

How does AIME fit into the larger global portfolio of ibtm events? AIME is key to the portfolio as our foothold in Asia Pacific and a means of facilitating those important business connections

throughout the region. In many ways, it replicates the offering across the rest of the portfolio; combining a regional flavour and focus with an international presence from both exhibitors and buyers.

Reed Travel Exhibitions and Melbourne Convention Bureau renewed their commitment for a further three years, what does this mean for AIME? We’re delighted to be continuing the long and successful partnership we’ve built up over the years with MCB. It really does combine the best of both worlds with the local knowledge and passion of the convention bureau with Reed Exhibition’s expertise as the world’s leading exhibition organiser and more specifically, ibtm events’ profile as the largest provider of events for the events industry.

Where do you draw inspiration from? Where don’t I? I drive my team crazy with new ideas every day; from articles, conversations, waking up in the middle of night – you name it! I’m passionate about understanding our customers and learning how we can best meet their needs, in a world that is changing increasingly quickly. That’s really my inspiration.

Sallie Coventry, ibtm events Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, talks about the role AIME plays in the global portfolio of ibtm events.

10 AIMEDaily 2016


The Saxton Up Close and Personal sessions will provide visitors with in-depth knowledge and first-hand accounts of international business, the meaning of courage, entrepreneurship and technology, connectivity in the world, small business innovation and the high performance team.

Nanette Moulton, Saxton Speakers Bureau’s Director, says

that the line-up of speakers has been thoughtfully curated to deliver an engaging program.

“Set to inspire and delight, these sessions are a unique way for the business events community to get up close and personal with renowned international speakers on topics that really matter,” she says.

Ian Wainwright, AIME’s Event

Director, says he is delighted to partner with Saxton to share these incredible stories that will engage, motivate and inspire visitors to AIME 2016.

“The AIME Knowledge Program centres on seven key themes, including Inspiration from Outside; Saxton speakers all come from outside the business events industry and will share challenges, motivations and

successes from a variety of

personal and professional

scenarios,” he says.

“We are proud to partner with

Saxton to host this exciting

line-up of speakers. It is also a

great opportunity for those in

the business events industry to

find new and inspiring talent for

events of all shapes and sizes.”

Personal stories set to inspire

Today’s Saxton’s Up Close and Personal sessions:

International Business

11:30am – 12:30pm

Richard Gerver and Craig David – interviewed by Richard Morecroft

Connecting the World

2:15pm – 3:15pm

Saroo Brierley and Remo Giuffre – interviewed by Mike Munro

Small Business Innovation

3:45pm – 4:45pm

Drinks company Emma & Tom, Nicole Eckels, Helen Lennie and Andrew Eikmeier – interviewed by Arron Wood

Richard Gerver

Nicole Eckels

Helen Lennie

Andrew Eikmeier

Craig David Saroo Brierley Remo Giuffre

AIMEDaily 2016 11

With a long list of one-of-a-kind activities, creative meeting spaces and unique venues, your plan reflects the colour of success when you meet L.A. Visit meetLA.com to learn more.

Meet the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board at AIME Melbourne Convention Center23-24 February 2016 - Booth # 5106T: +61 2 9004 7703 E: [email protected]

www.cimmagazine.com

What is the range of events you organise? Primarily special events, creating unique experiences and programs across the year. Targeted at employees, to drive employee morale and enhance employee engagement.

How many times have you been to AIME? This will be my fourth year returning to the show.

What brings you back to AIME? The opportunity to meet and discuss business opportunities, get up to speed on what’s trending and participate in the education program.

Are there particular elements of AIME that are must-dos for you? The AIME social program is always a must do, it’s a great way to let your hair down after a long day on the show floor. This year for the first time I’m also excited to participate in the education program.

What advice would you give newcomers to the industry? Network, network, network. Have a personal brand that

makes you stand out. It’s a small industry and everyone knows everybody, your next boss could be a conversation away…

What has been the most memorable event you were involved with? Working on Optus’s Christmas parties every year certainly has to be a highlight for me. Over 3000 guests attend, and last year we created a Pan Am Airways inspired extravaganza. Over 100 artists performed on the night, across eight venues. We took guests across the globe, from burlesque performances in Paris to the beer halls of Munich. One lucky person also won a return flight for two, flying premium economy to LA!

What inspires you in your current role? I am inspired by our unique corporate environment and the people around me. I love the freedom I have to think creatively and the sense of achievement when I see people enjoy and appreciate our events.

Harry Whelan, Event Manager at Optus, is responsible for creating and producing events and experiences for over 6500 people in Sydney, at one of the single largest corporate sites of its type in Australia. AIME Daily caught up with him to find out what brings him to AIME 2016.

5 minutes with a Hosted Buyer

12 AIMEDaily 2016


A Farewell to rememberThe Farewell Celebration in the Rainforest event was the culmination of the five-day International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) – Asian-Pacific Society for Neurochemistry (APSN) 2015 Meeting in Cairns.

Of the more than 900 guests in attendance, more than half were international and 47 countries were represented, including guests from the US, Japan, Germany, India, and several European countries.

The majority of the international meeting delegates were in Australia only for the duration of the meeting, and therefore did not have sufficient time to experience the Australian wildlife and culture.

As a result, Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda was chosen as the venue for the Farewell Celebration primarily due to the three unique

Australian experiences available at the park – the Koala & Wildlife Park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and the historic Army Duck tour through the rainforest.

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to a range of activities and entertainment.

Wildlife keepers roamed the Koala & Wildlife Park with a range of animals for guests to interact with, including koalas, snakes, and other reptiles. Koala photos were also available within the Gift Shop for those guests who wanted an additional souvenir of their visit.

The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience performed two dance shows, and entertained the crowd with didgeridoo lessons, spear throwing competition and Indigenous face painting. Army Duck tours through the Rainforest were available for the duration of the event.

Eight food stalls were set up

around the park, offering a range of cuisines including woodfired pizza, satay sticks, Asian food and Australian bush tucker. A number of bars were also available for drinks and dessert stations were spread through the park filled with ice cream.

The Tropical Fruit Orchards were lit with fairy lights strung amongst the fruit trees, whilst lanterns hung from branches and lit the perimeter. The three restaurants at the park were individually themed, creating a warm ambience for guests to enjoy.

Four local acts were engaged to provide live music and entertainment throughout the evening. Tony George Entertainment provided a three-piece band and were based in the Outback Restaurant area, while Tropicana, a two-piece band, were based at the Tropical Treats area of the park. Two entertainers, Kirk Steel and his

accordion and Danny Simany, a magician/comedian, also roamed the park and mingled with the guests.

As one of the event’s leadership team, Rebecca Quilty, Senior Account Manager at Arinex Events, says one of the major challenges was the increase in guest numbers in the days prior to the event, as a result of the popularity of the evening and the opportunity to “do” Australia”.

“As a result of the increase, the original schedule for the evening had to be adjusted,” she says. “The number of Aboriginal dance shows were doubled, extra Army Duck tours were scheduled, and the overall logistics of the event were impacted.

“Despite this, the event ran incredibly smoothly. Our team had planned for contingencies and these plans were effectively implemented. I wouldn’t do anything differently next time.”

AIMEDaily 2016 13

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14 AIMEDaily 2016

Game, set and matchAs the sun set over Melbourne’s Central Business District, Hosted and Semi Hosted Buyers enjoyed a cocktail event at The Vista, Melbourne & Olympic Park’s newest outdoor event space at the Margaret Court Arena.

The Australian Tennis Open silverware was on display, while Court No. 2 was opened up for those game enough to walk in the footsteps of the tennis legends who had only recently had their names added to the winners roll.

Andrew Watts, Conference Design, Peter King MCEC chief executive, Karen Bolinger, MCB chief executive.

Sherrif Karamat, PCMA chief executive.


AIMEDaily 2016 15

Sallie Coventry, Reed Travel Exhibitions, and Ian Wainwright, AIME Event Director.

Grace Hopkins, Agent Grace, Mike Plener, Business Connector, and Lynda Carpenter, Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum.

www.cimmagazine.com

16 AIMEDaily 2016


The science of cocktails at Brisbane labThe Brisbane Convention Bureau is whipping up a wicked bevy of experimental brews at AIME 2016 to celebrate the inaugural World Science Festival Brisbane in March.

Stand 2418 will turn into the “Brisbane lab” 4.45-6pm, as bartender Peter Hollands from Brisbane’s The Gresham Bar mixes a celestial concoction of cocktails.

Brisbane Convention Bureau General Manager Rob Nelson said Brisbane was the first city to host the festival outside of New York and it would be staged annually.

“The World Science Festival Brisbane gives science-orientated corporates and associations the perfect opportunity to bring their conferences to the city,” he says.

Perth Convention Bureau (PCB) will be launching the 2016 Inspire Association Award today from 4.30-6pm on the Western Australian stand 3932.

PCB, along with its 13 stand sharers, will be hosting canapés and drinks to launch the Award.

The Inspire Association Award

Perth set to inspire at AIME

Get a taste of the Melbourne EffectNews from the show floor

Well known television personality Lisa Wilkinson will be visiting the Northern Territory Stand 1532 today at 12:20pm.

She will be talking about her 18 month association with the NT as an official “Mate of the Territory” Ambassador,

sharing stories about her own experience of the NT and how she believes that the aspirational aspects of the destination make it a place where long-lasting memories are forged and engaging business events are staged.

Highlighting Victoria and Melbourne’s strength as a meetings, incentives and conventions destination, the Melbourne stand will uncover how the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and its partners can facilitate collaboration and deliver real outcomes for event planners, known as The Melbourne Effect.

For the sports fans a sporting precinct will be created highlighting the Melbourne Cricket Ground and guests can take a photo with the 1964 Melbourne Football Club Premiership Cup. Today’s Networking Hour, starting at 4:45pm, will have a sports flavour with Melbourne Football Club legend Russell Robertson attending as a special guest.

Highlighting Melbourne’s urban arts scene, chalkboard artwork by Melbourne Street Tours will be created during AIME, where guests can see it evolve

before their eyes and will be encouraged to snap and share it to #AIMEinspo.

A fashion activation will highlight one of Melbourne’s major international events, The Melbourne Cup Carnival, with a millinery display and demonstration from renowned Melbourne milliners Kim Fletcher and Serena Lindeman from Melbourne Millinery Workshops, as well as millinery on display from Heather Edwards.

Business Events Victoria has also partnered with MCB, and will be showcasing regional Victoria as a business events destination.

“We wanted to encapsulate the essence of Melbourne as a business events destination, and provide a space where guests can meet informally to connect, engage and be inspired,” says MCB Chief Executive Officer Karen Bolinger.

is a $5000 travel grant designed to assist in the professional development of East Coast based Association event managers and executives through funding attendance at an international conference in their chosen field of endeavour. Award funding covers travel, accommodation and registration expenses to the maximum value of the grant.

Lisa Wilkinson a Mate of the NT

AIMEDaily 2016 17

Where every detail is the single most important detail

Just a short fl ight across the Tasman and an easy drive from Auckland International Airport, New Zealand’s Hamilton and Waikato region is a destination waiting to be discovered. Take your delegates on an unforgettable adventure and unveil the treasures of the region including our award-winning Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre and the stunning surroundings of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. For the most epic conference you will ever hold, visit the Claudelands and Hobbiton™ Movie Set teams together on the New Zealand stand here at AIME 2016.

www.cimmagazine.com

Busy year on the menu for MCEC This year is set to be another busy year at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), as the venue continues to plan for its $210 million Stage Two expansion.

Following on from a record-breaking year which saw MCEC contribute almost $1 billion of economic impact to Victoria’s economy, several key projects have recently commenced which aim to enhance both the customer and visitor experience.

With the recent appointments

of Senior Food and Beverage Manager Neil Mather and Executive Chef Peter Haycroft, several significant food and beverage projects have quickly gathered momentum.

In April, MCEC will launch its new permanent café, The Shed, which will offer a wide selection of products made in-house by MCEC’s chefs.

MCEC’s 2016 Menu Planning Guide will be officially launched at AIME, with more than 30 per cent of menu items newly

developed or recreated, with Haycroft adding his own signature style.

New additions include a “Streets of Melbourne” canapé party, offering up a true taste of Melbourne inspired by the city’s multicultural food landscape and iconic eating destinations.

Additionally, a seasonal feature menu will be offered, providing customers with a premium menu option that ensures guests have access to the best quality produce on offer at the time of

their event.

In addition, recent upgrades to Clarendon Auditorium have officially completed MCEC’s $3 million digital signal project.

MCEC Chief Executive Peter King says that it is an exciting time for the venue.

“As we get closer to finalising plans for our expansion, we’re working hard to ensure that our business is in the best possible position it can be, across all departments,” he said.

Opening in December 2016, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has confirmed 35 exhibition events to launch its 2017 business events season.

ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy is delighted with the response from the exhibition industry.

“Exhibitions are critical to the

business mix of a global city,” he said. “When ICC Sydney opens Sydney will have an international business events venue to suit its status as Australia’s centre of business and innovation.

“In addition to the 35 events, we have a further 30 under negotiation. We couldn’t be happier with the strong response

ICC Sydney happy with response from exhibition industry

from the exhibition industry, its support for the project and the excitement building around ICC Sydney’s opening.”

Events have been secured with all of the major exhibition

operators in Australia, including Reed Exhibitions, Diversified Communications Australia, Expertise Events, Australasian Gaming Expo and Boating Industry Association.

18 AIMEDaily 2016


Cairns Convention Centre to get $13m upgrade

The $200 million redevelopment of Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour is now only 100 days away from its June 1 launch date.

The development, which recently celebrated a major milestone with the topping out of its 25th floor, will see the opening of a new convention centre,

bringing an additional 3700sqm

of meeting and event space to

the heart of Sydney.

Offering a total of 21 meeting

rooms, the highlight of the new

convention centre will be two

pillarless ballrooms, offering

capacity for 2100 people theatre

style as well as natural light

and sweeping, uninterrupted water views of Sydney’s Darling Harbour. The meeting space will also include breakout areas, meeting rooms and dedicated pre-function space.

An additional 222 new guest rooms will be completed by August 2016, taking the hotel’s inventory up to 892.

The hotel will also develop a

new rooftop bar and executive

lounge offering panoramic

views of Darling Harbour.

Located on the rooftop of the

northern tower, the multi-million

rooftop venue will replace the

hotel’s existing lounge bar and

garden on level 11.

Four Points by Sheraton Sydney counts down

The Cairns Convention Centre

is undertaking a $13 million

refurbishment program.

Key elements of the upgrade

include a new arrival zone

featuring lighting that has the

ability to change colour to

suit client requirements, LED

signage stretching the length of

the zone and new sliding glass doors; large LED screens will be placed throughout the Centre; the Centre’s signature meeting space, the Great Hall, will be re-carpeted; new soft furnishings throughout the building will provide more networking spaces; lifts, car parking, air-conditioning and other core services will

be upgrade; solar hot water

panels will be replaced; CCTV

and bollards will be upgraded;

and after nearly 20 years a roof

replacement and refurbishment

will be undertaken.

“We welcome the Queensland

Government’s continued

investment in our building,” said

Ross Steele, general manager at

Cairns Convention Centre.

“The work currently being

undertaken will provide

enhanced experiences for our

visitors and clients and reaffirm

the Centre’s reputation as a

leading international convention

venue.”

AIMEDaily 2016 19

A new look for BCEC’s Great HallBrisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s (BCEC) Great Hall has undergone a major refurbishment.

The $1.5 million makeover of the 4000 seat tiered auditorium includes new tiered seating, carpets and lighting, offering a colour palette in warm and muted hues of purple and fuchsia

adding new vibe to the space.

“The Centre has a strong track record of innovation and renewal when it comes to providing benchmark facilities and services for clients and the refurbishment of the Great Hall is yet another demonstration of that,” said BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe.

Adelaide Convention Centre’s stage two expansion tops out

Work on the second stage of Adelaide Convention Centre’s $400 million expansion has reached a key phase with the “topping out” milestone, installation of the highest point of the redevelopment, now complete.

Construction of the East Building

began earlier this year and is scheduled for completion in mid-2017.

Stage two of the redevelopment replaces the original Plenary Building, and features a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art facility, with a 3500-seat capacity.

“It’s a fantastic moment for us

here at the Centre, and the many local contractors who are working on the project,” said Adelaide Convention Centre CEO Alec Gilbert.

“While still under construction, we have over 60 conference event enquiries for the East Building already.”

Official AIME Daily Publisher Alexandra YeomansGeneral Manager Michelle CullenManaging Editor Sheridan Randall Journalist Anastasia PrikhodkoDesign/Production Manager Bin ZhouProduction Co-ordinator Anne EstebanSales & Digital Co-ordinator Grissel RitchieAdministration Assistant Kate Wilcox

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