ICCA and the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) have announced a new industry partnership aimed at bolstering the business events industry across the Asia-Pacific region.
The agreement, formalised during AIME 2025 held in Melbourne, Australia, from February 10-12, 2025, signifies a commitment to generating expanded business opportunities for ICCA members in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and globally.
Under the partnership, AIME will serve as an advocacy partner, amplifying the voice of the international business events industry to support destination enhancement. AIME is owned by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and managed by Talk2 Media & Events.
ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath emphasised the significance of the collaboration, stating, “ICCA’s partnership with AIME signifies our commitment to supporting the growth of the Asia Pacific meetings industry, which has experienced incredible growth over the past few years and continues to figure prominently on the world stage.”
“We’re looking forward to working with APAC members to support the development of meetings and events professionals in the region, including ICCASkills, business exchange workshops, advocacy and more.”
The partnership builds on existing collaborations. Notably, the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and ICCA jointly presented the Emerging Leaders Challenge for the second time at AIME 2025. This programme invited emerging leaders to share innovative ideas on the future of the industry, with the winner participating in an ABEA and ICCA session focused on future growth opportunities.
Furthermore, ICCA presented at the AIME Leaders Forum, hosted by ABEA following AIME 2025 on February 13. This session focused on advocacy strategies and how the industry can lead and support advocacy initiatives globally and regionally. The forum provided a platform for C-Suite executives, association leaders, and government officials to discuss advocacy priorities, particularly concerning legacy, growth, the value of business events, and the importance of investment and destination profiling.
Looking ahead, AIME 2026 will be held from February 9-11, 2026, at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in Australia. Planned programmes include the ICCA Business Exchange, The Bidding BootCamp, and an AIME scholarship to develop future talent in the business events sector. AIME will also have a presence at the ICCA Congress in Porto, Portugal, from November 9-12, 2025.
