The pre-scheduled appointments for the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) opened yesterday for exhibitors as AIME organisers report that a record number of hosted buyers have already qualified for the show.

AIME’s Event Director Rosemarie Sama says the two-way diary allows exhibitors and buyers to schedule their appointments and manage their event diary easily.

“As of Monday, Exhibitors can go online and select those buyers they are interested in meeting at AIME,” Rosemarie said.

“We’ve had a fantastic response this year to our pre-scheduled appointments diary with 19 per cent more buyers registered online to use the system.

“AIME will also offer greater diversity of business opportunities for exhibitors this year with buyers coming from 33 countries which is a significant increase from the 25 countries represented last year.”

From Monday, Exhibitors will be able to select the companies they would prefer to meet with during AIME. Buyers will then use the system to view companies who have requested meetings and select their preferences. Additional meetings will also be secured using the two way online diary, allowing exhibitors to book additional appointments and manage their own schedule.

A new feature of the pre-scheduled appointments in 2010 is Destination Appointments which will see destination Exhibitors having greater opportunity to present their news and product updates to exhibitors.

Eligible Exhibitors will give a 30 minute presentation at their stand twice a day for up to 20 buyers. All buyers will elect to attend at least one relevant destination presentation per day.

Destination Appointments will give Exhibitors the opportunity to provide a snapshot of their product to more prospects and secure more face to face time with Exhibitors.

Taking place in Melbourne on March 2 and 3 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), AIME is the region’s pre-eminent meeting and incentive show with more than 850 exhibitors and more than 3,000 visitors expected to attend in 2010.