AIME 2026 opened today with a clear message from industry leaders. This is not just the biggest AIME yet, it’s one of the most commercially powerful.
Now in its 33rd year, 2026 will be a record-breaking year for AIME – bringing more than 5,000 event industry professionals and 766 exhibitors together for 3 days of energy, education and engagement.
At the opening press conference, Matt Pearce, Director at Talk2 Media and Events, highlighted that in an increasingly competitive global market, success at AIME is defined by curating meaningful conversations that translate into real business outcomes.
Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau, reinforced the city’s leadership on the global events stage and drew focus to the broader economic and social impact of business events.
From a national perspective, Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, outlined the scale of opportunity for the business events sector. Each year, hundreds of thousands of international visitors travel to Australia for business events, spending on average 56% more per night than leisure travellers. Major events remain a critical driver of incentive travel, while sustainability is now a key factor influencing destination choice. He also highlighted Australia’s growing leadership in Indigenous integration within MICE, with global demand increasing for authentic, immersive experiences that reflect place, culture and community.
Together, they framed AIME 2026 as an event about more than scale. It’s about clarity, confidence and creating experiences that work, commercially and humanly, in moments that matter.
AIME’s ‘Knowledge Monday’ celebrates ‘Expertise Matters’
Kicking off today, AIME’s Knowledge Monday delivered a full day of educational content across 3 keynote speeches and 20 specialist workshops from a wide range of industry experts. One message was made clear: sustainable performance in events is not about doing more. It’s about thinking better, protecting energy and trusting your preparation when the pressure is on.
‘Thriving Through Change’
Presented by Kristina Karlsson, Founder – Kikki K
Kristina spoke directly to the lived reality of event professionals, recognising the constant juggle of vision, logistics, people and pressure. Her session focused on resilience, energy and the courage to think bigger, even when the workload feels relentless.
Key takeaways
- Ask better ‘what if’ questions. Breaking free from mental limits starts by imagining success without constraints. This mindset opens up more creative, confident decision-making under pressure.
- Perspective builds resilience. Gratitude and context help keep challenges in check, especially during high-stress delivery moments.
- Health and energy are not optional. Sustainable performance depends on protecting your physical and mental capacity, not running on empty.
- Movement fuels clarity. Walking, particularly outdoors, creates space for problem-solving and creativity that desks and screens cannot.
- Progress beats perfection. Authenticity and imperfection build trust and momentum, both personally and professionally.
“Failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s a stepping stone towards success.” Kristina Karlsson
‘Brain 101: Mental Agility = Resilience’
Presented by Milo Wilkinson – Behavioural Scientist
Milo unpacked how the brain really works under pressure and why understanding mental energy, bias and fear is critical for planners responsible for high-stakes outcomes.
Key takeaways
- Your brain runs on limited energy. Cognitive capacity is highest in the morning, making this the best time for complex decisions, negotiations and planning.
- Most resistance is fear of loss. Change feels threatening when people focus on what they might lose. Successful planners anticipate this and manage it deliberately.
- Negativity is hard-wired. With the majority of daily thoughts skewing negative, staying solution-focused requires conscious effort, not willpower alone.
- Mental loops drive stress. Without intervention, most thoughts repeat daily. Breaking the loop requires active reframing, not passive optimism.
- Visualisation improves outcomes. Mentally rehearsing success increases confidence, clarity and performance when it counts.
“Where you put your mind, your body will follow.” Milo Wilkinson
‘How to Bring It’
Presented by Dan Haesler, Performance & Leadership Coach
Dan’s session resonated strongly with planners operating in high-expectation environments. His focus was on showing up when it matters most, without tying self-worth to outcomes.
Key takeaways
- You are not your job title. Separating identity from role reduces pressure and prevents burnout when plans change or things go wrong.
- Energy management beats time management. High performers are deliberate about recovery, not just productivity.
- Control what you can. Process-driven goals and preparation routines create stability when external variables shift.
- Pressure is part of performance. Rather than avoiding it, elite performers learn to work with pressure as a performance partner.
- Be present in critical moments. Peak performance only exists in the now. Focus narrows stress and sharpens delivery.
“Confidence comes from the work you’ve done.” Dan Haesler
If you’re responsible for delivering flawless experiences behind the scenes, these insights can be used as practical tools, not just theory. Use them to design smarter workflows, support your own wellbeing, and keep bringing your best when it matters most.
AIME 2026 in numbers:
- 2026 marks AIME’s 33rd year
- AIME is the leading event for the meetings, incentives and events industry in Asia Pacific.
- 766 exhibitors (up 13%)
- 1,500 buyers
- More than 5000 tradeshow visitors
- More than 40 media representatives from around the world
- 70 speakers across 3 days