A MELBOURNE events hotspot billed as the city’s most glamorous is the venue for the AIME 2026 welcome party.
Organisers of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) have revealed the theme, location and details of the Welcome Event, set to take place on Monday, February 9 at Evoqé, Melbourne.
Titled Aimagination, the opening night celebration invites attendees to step into an experience designed to be felt rather than explained. Held across three immersive levels at Evoqé on Queen Street, the event will blend inventive drinks, standout food and unexpected moments to mark AIME 2026.
A white or soft neutral dress code is advised set the visual tone as more Evoqé hosts AIME delegates and exhibitors. The evening will build towards a special surprise headliner performance at 9pm.
The annual Welcome Event is a traditional part of the AIME experience and will be attended by Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners and industry VIPs, with Visitor Buyers able to attend by upgrading their ticket.
AIME Event Director Silke Calder said the Welcome Event has been designed to spark connection and creativity as the AIME community gathers in Melbourne.
“The Welcome Event is an important opportunity to bring the AIME community together in a meaningful and fun way,” she said..
“Aimagination is about stepping outside the expected and opening the door to new ideas, new conversations and new possibilities. It is bold, immersive and unmistakably AIME, and we cannot wait to welcome our industry friends from around the world to experience it for themselves.”
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Evoqé Managing Director Brad Dabbs said the venue was created to spark curiosity, invite exploration, and “gently disrupt expectations”.
“Evoqé is named for what we set out to do — evoke curiosity, imagination and emotion. There’s a mischievous spirit at the heart of the venue; it’s designed to surprise, to challenge expectations, and to reward those who are willing to explore,” he says.
“It’s not a static space. Evoqé unfolds as you move through it, revealing moments that feel playful, immersive and a little unexpected.
“Aimagination celebrates bold ideas and creative thinking, and hosting it at Evoqé allows the venue itself to become part of the story. We can’t wait to welcome the global events community and invite them into an experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but is serious about leaving a lasting impression,” Dabbs said.
AIME 2026 will run from February 9-11 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with more than 5,000 attendees from across the global business events industry expected to attend.
Talk2 Media & Event, which manages the show on behalf of Melbourne Convention Bureau, said this year’s event will feature more than 766 exhibitors – the largest show delivered under Event Director Silke Calder and her team.
For more information, to register to attend, or to upgrade tickets, visit aime.com.au.
Main picture… The headline act at the AIME 2025 Welcome Event wows the crowd at Il Mercato Centrale
