Hosted buyer numbers grew significantly to a record 496, up from 370 last year – a 34% increase on the previous year.
Final unaudited figures at the end of AIME 2008 were 3,268 – almost 24% higher than
for AIME 2007.
The event itself has also grown, covering a total of 13,500 sqm this year. Rosemarie Sama, event director, said there was an excellent mix of exhibitors, with 243 first-timers
among the total of 850 exhibitors from more than 40 countries.
Staging Connections’ Jon Smith said the depth and breadth of the buyers exceeded
his expectations.
He said: “My first word is phenomenal. The quality of hosted buyers has been the best
I have ever seen and our whole team has been amazed at the quality of all the attendees.”
Tourism Australia, who returned as an exhibitor this year, said AIME met its objectives.
Joyce DiMascio, head of Business Events Australia, Tourism Australia said: “Our goals for attending AIME by reinvesting in a presence on the floor were all met and exceeded.
“It was the ideal forum for us as we were able to reach our core stakeholders and clients
in a targeted face-to-face business environment.”
