Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has extended its successful networking hours at AIME, Australia’s premier incentive travel, meetings and events show, for the 2009 event.

AIME’s Welcome Reception, Dine Around Melbourne programme, Club Night and networking hours provide additional opportunities for business discussions with up to 6,000 industry members in a more informal manner.

“Facilitating opportunities for delegates, hosted buyers and exhibitors to meet in a more relaxed and informal environment is an extremely important aspect of AIME,” said Acting Event Director, Elizabeth Sarian. “Some 79% of hosted buyers at AIME 08 said networking was a high priority, while 82% said they were satisfied that AIME met their objective.

“For AIME 08, we introduced a networking hour at the end of each day at the Globe Restaurant & Bar, within the exhibition,” she continued. “The initiative was well received by exhibitors, hosted buyers and visitors, who used the hour as an additional way of making new contacts and doing business.

“For AIME 09, we are extending the networking on Tuesday evening from 5pm to 7pm. This will allow more time for networking and lead into the ‘official event-free night’ and the Dine Around Melbourne programme of restaurant discounts organised by Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau.”
 
The venue for the AIME 09 Welcome Reception is still ‘top secret’ at this stage, but promises to continue the Melbourne traditional of providing an exciting new location each year.

AIME 09 will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Australia, on 17 and 18 February.