AIME 2026 opens with record numbers and focus on industry leadership

AIME has today opened its 2026 edition, recording record growth in buyers and exhibitors and highlighting strong progress toward its long-term sustainability commitments under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.

Delivered by Talk2 Media & Events, AIME 2026 is the largest show delivered under Event Director Silke Calder and her team, reinforcing AIME’s position as the leading business events trade show in the Asia Pacific region.

 An official press conference this morning marked the opening of AIME 2026, featuring Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media & Events; Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau; and Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia.

 Pearce said the growth of AIME reflected both strong industry confidence and a clear focus on quality outcomes.

 “AIME 2026 is the biggest show our team has delivered to date, and the continued growth in buyers, exhibitors and international participation reflects the confidence our industry places in the event,” he said.

 Pearce also provided an update on AIME’s sustainability commitments, highlighting strong progress toward its long-term emissions reduction targets under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.

 “AIME signed up to the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative several years ago, with a milestone target of reducing the emissions we can directly control by 50 percent by 2030. I’m pleased to share that we are well on the way to achieving that target,” he said.

 “Our venue emissions, which represent a significant component of what we can directly influence, have been reduced dramatically, largely due to the strong sustainability credentials of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.”

 Pearce said AIME’s focus would now shift beyond measurement and toward collective action, working with industry partners to support shared progress toward a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Over three days, AIME 2026 will welcome more than 1,500 vetted buyers, host over 5,000 attendees, and feature more than 750 exhibitors from across the global business events industry.

Exhibitors from 36 countries and territories will be in attendance, with South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Uganda joining the show floor for the first time, alongside strong representation from Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

Exhibitors represent convention bureaux, convention centres, hotels and resorts, unique venues, event technology providers, production and AV companies, destination management companies, airlines and cruise operators.

 Across the two-day tradeshow, more than 25,000 pre-scheduled meetings will take place between our vetted buyers and exhibitors.

This builds on the strong momentum of recent years, including more than $400 million of business generated following AIME 2025, and further cements AIME’s role as the primary meeting place for the international business events community in Asia Pacific.

AIME is owned by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and managed by Talk2 Media & Events, with the 2026 event marking the fifth AIME delivered by Event Director Silke Calder and her team.

Today’s opening day also features Knowledge Monday, AIME’s professional development program, which will welcome more than 1,500 attendees to a full day of learning, insight and discussion. The 2026 Knowledge Monday theme, “Expertise Matters!”, explores the credibility, clarity and strategic influence business events professionals bring to a rapidly changing global landscape. Three keynote speakers will open the program: Dan Haesler, Milo Wilkinson and Kristina Karlsson, and will be followed by 20 breakout sessions across five core content streams.

Curated by AIME in collaboration with El Kwang and BEAMexperience, and guided by an industry advisory committee, the Knowledge Program continues to position AIME as the launchpad for learning and leadership in the global events industry.

Concluding AIME’s opening day, the highly anticipated Welcome Event will take place this evening (Monday 9 Feb) under the theme Aimagination, bringing together more than 2,000 attendees dressed in white for a night of entertainment, connection and celebration at Evoqué in Melbourne’s CBD.

The AIME trade show runs across Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 February, with enhanced show floor zoning, expanded networking areas, and an enlarged Ideas Academy presented by Spice magazine. AIME is complemented by a full line-up of co-located events, including AIME’s strategic international industry partner ICCA’s Regional Business Exchanges and Bid Workshop plus their Oceanic Members Breakfast Meeting. Other co-located events include the Leaders Forum hosted by the Australian Business Events Association, the ABEA Bureau Chapter Meeting, the SITE ANZ Young Leaders Get Together and SITE NITE After Party, the PCMA APAC Members’ Networking Breakfast and the the return of AIPC at AIME, delivering a focused summit for convention and exhibition centre leaders.

For more information, visit aime.com.au

Quotes attributable to Talk2 Media & Events CEO Matt Pearce:

“AIME 2026 is the biggest show our team has delivered to date, and the continued growth in buyers, exhibitors and international participation reflects the confidence our industry places in the event.”

 “AIME signed up to the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative several years ago, with a milestone target of reducing emissions we can directly control by 50 percent by 2030. I'm pleased to share that we are well on the way to achieving that target.”

Quote attributable to Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson:

“AIME is now in its 33rd year and we are thrilled by the continued growth and success of the show. We are proud to be the leading business events trade show in the region and to provide an unparalleled opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to meet and generate business together.”

Quotes attributable to Tourism Australia Managing Director Robin Mack:

“Events like AIME are so valuable for putting Victoria and Australia’s business events offering on the world stage with planners and decision makers.”

“At Tourism Australia we are very passionate about business events and we have a vast program of work to market Australia as a world-class business events destination and convert demand with our partners like Melbourne Convention Bureau.”