INDEPENDENT post-show research following AIME 2026 has projected a record-breaking AUD425 million in business transactions between exhibitors and buyers over the next 12 months.
Talk2 Media & Events, and the show’s owners Melbourne Convention Bureau, say the results reinforce AIME’s role as Asia Pacific’s leading business events trade show. As the region’s longest-running show of its type, it opens the annual international business events calendar each year.
Organisers say the latest results can be attributed to how the event is designed to prioritise quality connections and meaningful business outcomes.
The success comes through carefully matching vetted global buyers with targeted exhibitors through a combination of human expertise and advanced AI-powered scheduling, an AIME spokesperson said. The result is a focused environment where high-value meetings take place and real business opportunities are created.
Attendee satisfaction for AIME 2026 has reached high levels, according to research. The exhibitor Net Promoter Score reached 32.6, well above the industry benchmark of 9.6, while the visitor Net Promoter Score of 59.4 significantly exceeds the benchmark score of 30.6, the spokesperson said.
Talk2 Media & Events CEO Matt Pearce said the results showed the strength of AIME’s targeted and curated approach to meetings.
“AIME is uniquely built around the quality of the connections we create,” he said.
“Our event is carefully curated to ensure the right people are meeting each other, which leads to stronger conversations, better partnerships and real commercial outcomes.
“The projected $425 million in business shows the value of those meetings and the role AIME plays in supporting destinations, venues and suppliers across the Asia Pacific region.”
Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson said: “AIME continues to shine as the premier business events trade show in our region and MCB is incredibly proud to own such an impactful event.
“The ongoing success of AIME reflects the strength of our local business events industry as well as the capacity for Melbourne to host large-scale trade shows that draw exhibitors and buyers from around the world and generate record-breaking amounts of business.
We look forward to the continued growth and success of the show as we continue to innovate and provide further opportunities for strong partnerships and excellent outcomes.”
– Julia Swanson, CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau
AIME Event Director Silke Calder said the results represent strong engagement from buyers, exhibitors and partners across the global business events sector.
“AIME continues to grow in both scale and impact, with more of the global industry coming together each year to meet, connect, learn and do business,” Calder said.
“The strong satisfaction scores from exhibitors and visitors show the quality of the meetings taking place and the importance of AIME as a platform for building new partnerships and future events.”
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Delivered by Talk2 Media & Events, AIME 2026 was the largest show yet delivered by Calder and her team. The February 9-11 event, held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, also set records for its size, number of hosted buyers, exhibitors and attendees, reflecting strong global demand for in-person meetings and industry connection.
According to the latest figures, AIME 2026 welcomed more than 1,500 vetted buyers, over 765 exhibitors from 36 countries and territories, and more than 5,000 attendees from the global business events industry.
Across the two-day trade show, which is preceded by the Knowledge Monday conference, more than 25,000 pre-scheduled meetings took place between buyers and exhibitors.
AIME 2027 is scheduled for February 15-17, 2027 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the date for AIME 2028 set for February 14-16, 2028.
