The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) has announced three exciting new partnerships with major associations within the events and conference planning industry for the 20th anniversary event in 2012.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), the Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc (PCO) and International Special Events Society (ISES) will work alongside AIME organisers to promote business events’ opportunities to their current and prospective members.

These new association partnerships are in addition to established relationships AIME holds with Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). By engaging many of the industry’s well respected associations, AIME is not only able to connect with a larger scope of event planners around the world but also further strengthen the event’s profile as an industry leader.

Sally de Swart, Reed Travel Exhibitions Director for AIME, says the partnerships will prove mutually beneficial for AIME and the associations.

“We are really excited to be working with three new industry associations and reaching out to their members,” Ms de Swart said. “As part of our program for 2012 we are also involving our association partners more heavily in AIME’s Education Program, which provides a platform to share insights and discuss issues that are really important to their members and AIME’s attendees.”

One of AIME’s new partners, global, not-for-profit organisation ACTE, which provides executive-level global education and networking opportunities for its members from all areas of business travel, agrees the new partnership is about combining the knowledge and experience of both groups.

ACTE’s Executive Director, Ron DiLeo, said, “Through our expanded relationship with AIME, we are sharing best practices, aligning industry standards, casting a wider educational net and finding solutions of common value. This relationship stands to benefit both meetings and business travel professionals in Australia.”

Rob Henshaw, Director of PCO Association, said that it is the show’s excellent reputation in the marketplace, and the high level of quality, diverse attendees that made the decision to partner with AIME easy.

“Many different types of businesses attend AIME and it is very beneficial for us to gain exposure to those companies whose core area of business is not necessarily event management, but who do actually organise some quite large events, as well as the specialist events and meetings professionals. We are also excited to be part of AIME’s extensive education sessions offering our industry knowledge in a forum to our members and prospective members,” Mr Henshaw said.

ISES said they are extremely proud to be associated with Australia’s leading meetings and incentives show for 2012 and believes the partnership is vital to their members as it provides potential business opportunities, further education and the prospect of building strong working relationships.

Newly Elected Chair of ISES Australasia, Jennifer Trethewey, said, “ISES is the only international event organisation in this country. With a membership of over 7,000 members in 38 countries, we have a strong set of core values and ethics that are key to the advancement and promotion of the special events industry globally.

“AIME mirrors these values and understands the importance of collaborating with other event bodies to promote the overall industry,” Ms Trethewey said.

In line with the growing number of association partnerships AIME has developed, the organisers are pleased to announce that there will be a new Association Lounge on the show floor in 2012 for these new partners to hold business meetings and network with AIME attendees.

The 20th anniversary of AIME, owned by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), will be held on 21-22 February 2012 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Melbourne, Australia.