The importance of in-person events endures. AIME has seen significant growth post-COVID-19. Although online meetings provide convenience, they often miss the crucial networking moments found at face-to-face gatherings like AIME.

Interview with Matt Pearce (CEO, Talk2 Media & Events)

TDM: How has AIME progressed since its inception, particularly after the pandemic?

Matt Pearce: AIME 2025 marks our 32nd year, showcasing a strong legacy in the global business events sector and notable growth since the pandemic. We hosted 675 exhibitors from 30 distinct countries and over 640 buyers, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year.

Key Highlights of AIME 2025:

• Achieved record figures for both exhibitors and attendees, reinforcing AIME’s status as a leading business event in the Asia Pacific region.
• Over 20,000 business meetings occurred during the two-day exhibition.

AIME’s Recognition: For the third consecutive year, AIME was honored as the Best Exhibition at the Australian Event Awards.

The Impact of Face-to-Face Interaction: Personal meetings nurture deeper connections essential for solid business relations, unlike what’s often achievable through online formats, which may lack similar engagement.

Combining Technology with Events: The integration of AI in MICE is transforming attendee experiences. At AIME, AI tools like matchmaking for meetings were prominently utilized, enhancing the overall interaction and success rate for exhibitors and buyers alike.

For a comprehensive understanding of the positive influence of business events in the past decade in Melbourne, visit this report.