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PLENARY AIME 2011 Q Biodiesel Conference & Expo
CONVENE ON SITE
DOWN UNDER: Clockwise from left — Opening day ribbon cutting; 2011 AIME Awards winners; welcome reception at the St. Kilda Sea Baths; and the Saxton Ultimate Event Experience.
In Melbourne, Their AIME Is True O
N THE SURFACE, THE ASIA-PACIFIC Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) is like any trade show that a meeting professional in the United States might attend, with lots of booths, educational sessions, and networking. But at AIME 2011 — which drew more than 3,400 participants to the Mel- bourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Feb. 15–16 — I soon noticed the differences. Unlike at most U.S. trade shows, for exam-
ple, where it’s often row upon row of 10' x 10' booths, the nearly 850 exhibitors at AIME had larger spaces, subdivided into smaller cubes or conference areas, where planners and supplier sat and discussed business. In part this was a nod to AIME’s vibrant hosted-buyer program, which this year involved 429 hosted
20 pcma convene April 2011
ALL BUSINESS: Kati Quigley, PCMA’s 2010 chair, was the key- noter at AIME’s Busi- ness Events Forum.
buyers from more than 30 countries. Inside and outside the exhibit hall, attend- ees were treated to a variety of entertainment — including a jazz quartet and costumed musicians on stilts — that helped create a sophisticated, energetic atmosphere. That was matched on the show floor, where many booths were elaborately decorated. Brisbane Marketing’s booth, for example, included tall, curved columns, connected by rods that sup- ported blossoming pink flowers. Each column was separated by a flat-screen monitor and a small, contemporary desk and chairs. It felt like a hip, open-air office space. AIME’s sprawling show floor was balanced by a compact, focused educational program continued on page 22