AIME 2025’s exceptional growth and its transformative impact on the business events industry showcased Melbourne’s prominence as a key global player in hosting international trade exhibitions and networking opportunities. The success of AIME 2025 solidifies its place as an essential event in the global business events calendar, driving industry growth and shaping the future of business tourism in Australia and beyond.

Held over three days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), AIME 2025 marked an extraordinary growth trajectory for the business events sector. Connecting over 640 buyers from across the globe with more than 675 exhibitors, the event demonstrated the increasing significance of trade shows within the international business events ecosystem.

This year’s AIME saw remarkable growth, with a record 200 new exhibitors joining the ranks. Singapore and Thailand added international pavilions to the event, complementing the representation from 30 other countries and territories. The robust participation highlights how the business events industry is rapidly expanding and diversifying.

The event drew in over 4,500 attendees, including 170 international and 470 domestic hosted buyers, with 75% of the hosted buyers attending AIME for the first time. This growing participation builds upon the success of AIME 2024, which generated over $330 million in business, cementing AIME’s position as one of the most significant trade events in the Asia Pacific region.

Over the course of AIME 2025, more than 20,000 meetings were held, including 15,000 pre-scheduled appointments between buyers and exhibitors. This level of engagement highlights the immense business potential facilitated by AIME’s carefully curated networking opportunities.

The official opening press conference featured notable industry leaders such as Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson, Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison, and Matt Pearce, CEO of AIME organizer Talk2 Media & Events. Pearce highlighted that AIME 2025 would be the largest event in its history, with 100 more exhibitors than the previous year and the biggest New Zealand contingent to date.

In addition to the trade exhibitions, AIME 2025 introduced a highly expanded Knowledge Program. The program saw a five-fold growth in participation, attracting over 1,500 professionals from across the industry. The “We Matter!” themed Knowledge Program included notable keynote speakers such as Gus Balbotin and Dr. Kristy Goodwin, and featured a new ‘Global Insights and Business Outlook’ panel with IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) CEO Senthil Gopinath, Grip CEO and Founder Tim Groot, and AIPC CEO Sven Bossu.

This program was designed to provide attendees with cutting-edge industry insights, innovations, and trends, ensuring that AIME remains at the forefront of the business events sector. It is clear that AIME is not only a venue for business transactions but also a hub for thought leadership and industry development.

In line with this, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) unveiled its “The Positive Impact of Business Events Report,” which demonstrated the tangible economic and social benefits that business events bring to the state of Victoria. The report highlighted the crucial role these events play in driving economic growth, fostering international connections, and leaving a lasting legacy on host cities like Melbourne.

Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau, underscored that AIME serves as the perfect platform for showcasing business events products and services to a targeted audience. She emphasized that business events, such as AIME, have transformative power not just for attendees but for the cities hosting these events, creating social and economic value that resonates far beyond the duration of the event itself.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison echoed Swanson’s sentiments, affirming that AIME remains a vital opportunity for global buyers to connect with the Australian industry and experience firsthand the country’s exceptional offerings in the business events sector. Harrison commended MCB and Talk2 Media & Events for organizing a record-breaking AIME and emphasized the event’s role in attracting international buyers to choose Australia as their next destination for business events.

Matt Pearce expressed his excitement about the success of AIME 2025, emphasizing that the event’s growth is a testament to its ability to deliver meaningful business outcomes. Pearce noted that despite the increasing presence of new entrants and regional events, AIME’s proven track record in generating business and fostering valuable connections continues to solidify its reputation as a premier business events platform.

Pearce also noted that last year, AIME generated over $330 million in business, and he expressed confidence that this figure would be surpassed in 2025. This reflects the growing importance of AIME as an essential venue for global networking and business development in the Asia Pacific region.

AIME’s impact extends beyond just the number of meetings and transactions. The event has earned a reputation for delivering an experience that exceeds expectations, creating an environment where lasting relationships are built, and the business events industry as a whole is propelled forward.

To celebrate the opening of AIME 2025, a vibrant welcome event, the AIMalfi FESTA, was held at the renowned il Mercato Centrale. This event attracted over 2,000 attendees, setting the stage for the high-energy, network-focused days that followed. The AIMalfi FESTA embodied the spirit of AIME 2025, offering participants an unforgettable experience that highlighted the event’s commitment to both business success and cultural enrichment.

AIME 2025 will undoubtedly remain a defining event in the global business events landscape, pushing boundaries and delivering unparalleled opportunities for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and generate meaningful business outcomes. As the event continues to grow, so does its influence, with AIME playing an increasingly critical role in shaping the future of business events in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

In case you missed it:

Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms

Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here.

Watch Travel And Tour World  Interviews  here.

Read more Travel News, Daily Travel Alert, and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.