Photo credit: Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event
Fresh from AIME 2024, our Event Manager, Oliver Hawthorne, was quick to note down his impressions from the industry’s biggest event. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Oliver is not one to miss any small detail or grand spectacles that make events memorable. Here is what he took away from the vibrant AIME show floor.
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Describe the vibe of the AIME 2024 show floor.
As soon as you set foot in the exhibition, you feel the vibrancy of the room, from all the different colours and installations that catch your eye to the lively music and chatter amongst attendees and exhibitors, you had a sense there was a real buzz in the air. I also heard that this year has seen a 63% increase in the number of exhibitors – you could definitely feel the sheer scale of the exhibition!
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Who did you speak to, and which industries did they represent?
As a Fully Hosted Buyer, I committed to 32 pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors over the course of two days, so you can be sure that I spoke to a lot of people! However, I did predominantly speak to venues, convention centres, and bureaus to find out about new event spaces, refurbishments and funding opportunities that could potentially be beneficial for my clients.
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Could you tell us about the top three exhibitors you met with and what particularly impressed you about them?
- Gevme
I attended Gevme’s session on AI at the Knowledge Program, and was intrigued with the Spark tool they showcased, so I made sure to go and see them on the show floor to learn more about their AI tool. From content repurposing to real-time analysis of discussions and generating key takeaways for attendees, I could see it bringing a lot of value for event professionals and delegates.
- EventZero
I learned about the new EventZero software, which is a carbon calculation tool made for event professionals to measure the impact of their events. The events industry has a special role to play in tackling climate change, and this is a much-needed tool that will allow event professionals to directly measure their carbon footprint (including from power sources, travel, waste, food and beverage choices, and production materials).
- Te Pae Christchuch Convention Centre
I was truly impressed with Te Pae Christchuch Convention Centre. Its thoughtful design is strikingly beautiful. I love that the architectural design was inspired by the natural landscape of the region and reflects the local mountains, rivers and land that surround the venue – it really is so much more than a venue. I have never been to Christchuch, or New Zealand for that matter, but now with the awareness of this incredible venue and the beautiful city, I’m very much keen to visit and explore!
The venue recently announced that it had been certified net carbon zero, which, I think, brings assurance to event professionals and their clients that the venue is meeting the internationally-recognised standards. Their achievement also resonates with our collective responsibility as event professionals to reduce our environmental impact. It’s inspiring to see Te Pae lead the way in this regard.
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As an event professional, what aspects of the AIME 2024 show floor stood out to you?
I appreciated the thoughtful zoning of the show floor, where industries and regions were grouped together. In a space as expansive as the MCEC’s exhibition hall packed with exhibitors, these details were essential.
The Ideas Academy was a nice addition to the show floor for those wanting to continue their learning from the Knowledge Program. Not only were the sessions that I attended really informative, but it was a great platform for sponsors and partners to bring value to the event.
AIME’s commitment to sustainable practices and MCEC’s Sustainability Strategy shone through on the show floor. From swapping out single-use cups with reuseable aluminium cups to showcasing eco-friendly vendors, like Cardboard Mill, and the decision by the organisers to avoid printed materials, the event is certainly setting a new standard for sustainability in the industry.
The activations on the show floor were aesthetically pleasing and engaging. From entertainers on stilts to a fashion show showcasing designs from the Indigenous art centres in the Northern Territory, AIME 2024 set the bar high for event professionals.
One of many activations on the show floor: my portrait drawn by an AI robot (from Rentertainment)
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