Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced an increased attendance at AIME 2006, held earlier this month at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, despite having moved the event from its usual annual time of February.

A total of 2,644 trade visitors, Hosted Buyers and media attended AIME, an increase of 5.2% on the previous year. (Figures audited by Circulations Audit Board)

A record number of 835 exhibitors from 49 countries participated in AIME 2006, covering more space than previous years.

"The exhibition covered a record 11,200 square metres of space, exhibitor numbers increased and our total audience grew," said Rosemarie Sama, AIME Event Director.

"All our feedback to date has been that the quality of the Hosted Buyers and trade visitors was excellent. AIME obviously attracts the right audience and that comes back to the quality of our exhibitors. Many of the buyers and trade visitors we spoke with at AIME were very pleased with the variety of exhibitors AIME showcases," she said.

Ms Sama said that holding the event in June, a move caused by the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, impacted on AIME in ways they could not foresee.

"The World Cup and other meetings and incentive events in Europe affected our international Hosted Buyer numbers this year. In New Zealand, a public holiday and other industry events also had an impact. In some markets June was the preferred time to visit Australia and in other markets it was not.

"Of the 935 applications we received for our Hosted Buyer Programme, we qualified a record 501, which was well above our target of 480. Buyer cancellations were higher than usual, with many buyers citing time pressures and increased commitments in the month prior as the reasons for being unable to attend. This reduced our final Hosted Buyer numbers to 411."

Ms Sama said that exhibitors and Hosted Buyers favoured the move back to February for AIME 2007 and that she expected that Hosted Buyer numbers would increase based on this year's experience.

"The convention and incentive market in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow. AIME provides an important business platform for the industry to network and exchange ideas as well as conduct profitable business."

Exhibitors' comments on the event were extremely positive.

"AIME has been simply breathtaking. We have been overwhelmed by the huge response of both our appointments and walk-up traffic. February next year will be great and we'll definitely be back," said Peter Sugg, director, Australian Conference and Events Bureau.

"The quality of the buyers has been very good and the combination of corporate and agencies especially good. We have had a lot of interest from the Australian market in the Americas Cup to be held in Valencia," said Daniel Araiz, Valencia Tourism & Convention Bureau, Spain.

"As a new destination, AIME has been very good in raising awareness in the market. People have been very interested to learn about Abu Dhabi and our new developments including the convention centre. We are targeting high-end and MICE markets in both Australia and Europe and we have had a good mix of incentives and PCOs from both markets," said Gillian Taylor, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

"Australians were the third largest group to Singapore in 2005, and a large part of this can be attributed to the meetings industry and our presence at AIME. Singapore has been coming to AIME since the beginning and will continue to have a presence," said Michelle Thoo, Singapore Tourism Board.

One of the 200 first time exhibitors, You've Been Gifted, said AIME 2006 was fantastic.

"It was everything we expected it to be. The quality of the buyers was 100%. We did it well for our first time. The trade visitors and exhibitors at AIME are both our clients so it was the perfect fit," said Heather Stone, director.

Hosted Buyers to AIME 2006 found the event delivered the right mix of products and services and many of them were able to book events at the exhibition.

"This was my third time at AIME but my first time as a Hosted Buyer. The experience has been 100% more valuable as a Hosted Buyer. I have already booked 5 events as a result of visiting AIME. The events are all with new venues that I haven't used before and met at AIME. The on site organisation of the show is fabulous and the floor layout is great," said Kerri Edwards, ANZ.

"The show seems to be a lot bigger this year and the quality of exhibitors is very high. I will definitely be placing business as a result of AIME. A visit to AIME is always worthwhile," said Jane Yeaman, Tulips Meeting Management.

"This is my third time at AIME and I think this year's show has a better variety of sellers. There are some really interesting destinations here this year. I will definitely be placing business following AIME. We are looking to place business in the Asia Pacific and India and it's great to come to AIME to check out everything that is available," said Selina Chan, Jensen Consulting.

AIME 2007, 15^th AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo will be held on 13 & 14 February at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

For further information visit the AIME website: www.aime.com.au