Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has announced two educational programmes aimed at newcomers to the industry and more experienced campaigners at AIME 2008, the 16th Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, which is taking place on 19-20 February at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Australia.

A new programme of Master Classes are to be held each day, “with topics based on feedback from visitors regarding the type of education they are looking for at exhibitions”, according to the organisers. They will be held in a specially designed theatre adjacent to the exhibition and with direct access into AIME 2008.

“We have put together a programme that will inspire, enlighten, motivate and help meeting and incentive practitioners to organise even better events,” said Rosemarie Same, AIME event director.

AIME Master Classes feature “an impressive line up of local and international speakers who are experts in their field, with the experience and knowledge to guide others”. Subjects covered range from event creativity and sustainability to understanding your audience, choosing the appropriate incentive products, getting the food right and finding the ideal destination.

RTE has also announced that it will once again host the The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Youth Forum at AIME 2008. It will be the eighth staging of the popular forum that brings together young industry professionals from the Asia Pacific region to learn more about the global business events industry.

“The ICCA is one of the most prominent meetings organisations in the world. We are delighted to host the ICCA Youth Forum at AIME and to continue our long association with this prestigious global meetings organisation,” said Same.

The intensive educational programme is for young professionals under 30 years of age or those new to the industry with less than three years’ experience, who are keen to further their careers by increasing their industry knowledge and networks.

The forum is free to ICCA member employees and available at a nominal cost to other young professionals. It will be held on Sunday 17 February and Monday 18 February at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Participants also attend the AIME Welcome Reception and the exhibition.

“ICCA offers a rare opportunity for new and young professionals wanting to learn more about the global meetings industry. We take advantage of the presence of leading ICCA practitioners from around the world at AIME and include them on our program faculty. They offer invaluable insights and advice to newcomers,” said ICCA Youth Forum manager, Elizabeth Rich.

“Participants also enjoy the opportunity to widen their industry network to include peers from around Australia and Asia. We are particularly keen to see more Asian employers use the ICCA Youth Forum as an incentive for their young employees.”

ICCA Youth Forum enquiries and registration can be made by emailing Elizabeth Rich: elizabethrich@a1.com.au.

For further information on and a full list of this year’s AIME Master Classes, visit www.aime.com.au