ICCA and AIME announce new partnership to bolster the business events industry

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The International Congress and Conference Association (ICCA) has today announced a new Industry Partnership with the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME).

The partnership is focused on the continued commitment to bringing extended business opportunities to ICCA members in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and other global regions.

AIME will serve as a partner in advocacy, amplifying the voice of the international business events industry for destination enhancement. AIME is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and is managed by Talk2 Media & Events.

ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath signed the agreement with AIME representative Matt Pearce, Director of Talk2 Media & Events, and Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, during AIME 2025 which was held from 10 to 12 February in Melbourne, Australia.

The partnership between AIME and ICCA underscores the commitment of both parties to expanding opportunity, growth and development for members of the business events community in the region.

ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath heralded the new partnership.

 “ICCA's partnership with AIME signifies our commitment to supporting the growth of the Asia Pacific meetings industry, which has experienced incredible growth over the past few years and continues to figure prominently on the world stage,” he said.

 “We're looking forward to working with APAC members to support development of meetings and events professionals in the region, including ICCASkills, business exchange workshops, advocacy and more.”

 Talk2 Media & Events Director Matt Pearce said the new partnership would drive growth for the business events industry across the region.

 “The AIME team has worked closely with Senthil, Waikin Wong (ICCA Asia Pacific Regional Director) and the whole ICCA team for several years and we are pleased to formalise this with an industry partnership,” he said.

 “We look forward to driving business events growth and prosperity in APAC with ongoing personal and professional development opportunities through AIME and ICCA in the coming years as AIME cements its position as the leading business events exhibition and learning platform.”

This year, the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and ICCA collaborated for a second time on the Emerging Leaders Challenge. This programme invited emerging leaders to share their thought-provoking ideas on the future of the business events industry. The winner of the Emerging Leaders Challenge joined the interactive ABEA and ICCA session, held at the AIME Knowledge Program on 10 February, where discussion focused on the future growth opportunities in the sector.

 ICCA also presented at the AIME Leaders Forum hosted by ABEA, which was held following AIME 2025 on 13 February. This impactful and interactive discussion focussed on advocacy and how the industry can lead and support advocacy initiatives globally and regionally.

 The session provided participants, comprising mainly of C-Suite executives, association leaders and government officials, a conducive platform to discuss areas of advocacy primarily focused on legacy, growth and the value of business events as well as the importance of investment and destination profiling.

During the session Gopinath reiterated the importance of advocacy to accelerate the growth of the business events industry, while sharing key tips and best practices in this area.

AIME 2026 will be held 9–11 February 2026 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in Australia. Planned programmes include the ICCA Business Exchange, The Bidding BootCamp, and an AIME scholarship aimed at cultivating talent for the next generation of business events professionals.

AIME will also have a presence at the ICCA Congress to be held in Porto, Portugal, 9-12 November, 2025.

About AIME

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and managed by Talk2 Media & Events. AIME is the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is where industry decision-makers connect, create and do business. AIME is created by the industry, for the industry, bringing together international and local buyers to access the best exhibitors from around the world. AIME 2026 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 9 - 11 February, 2026.