AIME 2027瞄准印度出境会奖市场，预计超800家参展商、1600名核验买家及25000场预约会谈

With more than 800 exhibitors, 1,600 vetted buyers and 25,000 pre-scheduled meetings expected, AIME 2027 aims to strengthen Australia–India business events ties, says Silke Calder, Event Director, AIME.  

India’s expanding outbound MICE market is creating opportunities for destinations to attract corporate meetings, incentive groups, conferences and exhibitions. For Australia, the opportunity lies not only in attracting Indian business events but also in building stronger relationships with planners looking for measurable returns, distinctive experiences and destinations that can deliver on increasingly diverse requirements. 

As companies evaluate event budgets and participant outcomes more closely, destinations must demonstrate how their infrastructure, supplier networks and experiences can support business objectives. AIME, the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event, is positioning itself as a platform to bring these requirements together, connecting Indian planners with Australian and international suppliers through curated business meetings and destination discovery. “India is an important and growing market for Australia’s business events industry, and we see considerable potential to strengthen those connections,” said Silke Calder, Event Director, AIME. 

According to Calder, the Indian business events market encompasses a broad range of buyers, from corporate meeting planners and incentive specialists to agencies, professional conference organisers and association executives. Their requirements differ, making access to relevant destinations, venues and suppliers essential to the decision-making process. 

AIME’s hosted buyer programme combines human curation with technology to match buyers and exhibitors through tailored, pre-scheduled appointments. The format is designed to help planners make better use of their time, identify suitable partners and hold focused discussions around their business requirements. “We recognise that relationships are central to doing business across international markets,” Calder said, highlighting AIME’s role in connecting Indian planners with suppliers from Australia, Asia Pacific and other international markets. 

Experiences beyond the conference room 

For Australia, the opportunity extends beyond convention centres and meeting facilities. The country’s combination of business events infrastructure, diverse landscapes, food and wine, Indigenous cultural experiences and nature-based activities gives planners scope to build programmes around specific corporate objectives and participant interests. 

Calder pointed to Melbourne as an example of how a destination can combine business events with distinctive experiences. An incentive programme could include time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a visit to the Yarra Valley and culinary experiences showcasing the city’s food culture. 

She also highlighted Melbourne’s ability to cater to diverse dietary requirements, including vegetarian and Jain menus, alongside its wider culinary offering. For Indian planners, such considerations can be important when designing programmes for groups with varied preferences. 

The wider Asia Pacific region offers a similarly broad range of possibilities, from established business hubs and convention destinations to resort settings and emerging destinations with distinctive cultural offerings. AIME brings these options together, allowing buyers to compare products, explore new markets and establish relationships with suppliers. 

For planners, the value lies in identifying destinations that can combine the practical requirements of an event with experiences that encourage team engagement and provide a stronger connection with the host destination. 

ROI and sustainability gain importance 

Return on investment (ROI), sustainability and participant experience are becoming increasingly important considerations in business events planning. For destinations and suppliers, this means demonstrating value beyond the immediate delivery of an event. 

Calder said the industry must consider the quality of relationships created, the business opportunities generated, the participant experience and the longer-term outcomes of an event. 

AIME supports this approach by helping buyers connect with suppliers whose offerings align with their objectives. Its pre-scheduled appointment model is intended to make interactions more productive, while Knowledge Monday provides a forum for industry professionals to exchange ideas and examine emerging challenges. 

Sustainability is another consideration in event planning. Calder said responsible practices can be integrated into venue operations, resource management, transport, catering and delegate experiences. Connecting participants with local communities, culture and place can also contribute to more meaningful programmes. “Ultimately, ROI, sustainability and participant experience are not competing priorities,” she said. “The opportunity is to bring them together in events that deliver commercial value while creating positive and lasting outcomes.” 

For Indian buyers, this creates an opportunity to assess suppliers not only on destination appeal but also on their ability to meet corporate requirements, accommodate participants and support the intended outcomes of a programme. 

AIME 2027: Scale and business opportunities 

AIME 2027 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together more than 800 exhibitors and over 1,600 vetted buyers. More than 25,000 pre-scheduled meetings are expected over the three-day event. 

The scale of the gathering offers Indian planners an opportunity to explore destinations and suppliers within a concentrated timeframe, rather than arranging multiple international trips to meet prospective partners. 

Calder also highlighted the timing of the February event, which takes place shortly before the close of India’s financial year on 31 March, when companies are making decisions about future programmes and recognising top-performing employees. 

Alongside the trade show, Knowledge Monday will run under the theme AIMEplify: People, Business and Impact. The programme will bring industry professionals together to exchange expertise, consider new ideas and explore how technology and human connection can contribute to better business outcomes. 

For Australia, stronger engagement with Indian planners could create opportunities across corporate meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions. The wider commercial relationship between the two countries, combined with India’s expanding outbound market, provides a basis for further collaboration. 

Calder said AIME aims to give Indian buyers an opportunity to discover new possibilities across Australia and Asia Pacific, establish relationships that continue beyond the event and identify potential partners for future programmes. 

For Australian exhibitors, the show provides a platform to better understand international buyer requirements and demonstrate the range of experiences and capabilities available in the country. “The real measure of AIME isn’t what happens on the show floor,” Calder said, pointing to the potential for meetings at the event to translate into future incentive programmes and business partnerships. 

The focus, she added, is on creating connections that lead to tangible outcomes after the event, strengthening the relationship between international buyers and the destinations and suppliers that serve them.