AIME Event Gold
AIME is a massive opportunity for us as event planners to come together with suppliers who want to showcase hotels and event products from across the world. With large brands like Accor, Marriot, IHG and many, many more Duane and Simon made the most of seeing as many people as possible over the three-day showcase event held in Melbourne.
To whet your appetite on what we found we thought would share some info and learnings with you. With 78 suppliers, it was hard to pick just a few things to share, but we think that below you’ll find some Event Gold!
Destinations - what’s hot, and what’s not!
We feel that many Asian countries will be in high demand in the future. Although flight routes are still not quite there, AirNZ still has some pretty epic locations that we can get to.
(Definitely) Think Hong Kong for 2024 and 2025.
With a big push to get tourists back into its city, this could score big with cost conscious budgeters who have not gone away for a few years, as there are so many hotel and event products in the twin city locations of the bay. For those that prefer multiple stops offs try tying in a night or two-night stay in Macau (due to its new rail and bridge links to Hong Kong islands).
Stay out of the high season and wet season and this might be a perfect trip for the right group who enjoy hustle and bustle of a city (late October-November is the ideal time to go).
Bali may not be stacking up for this year
Last year this was the hot area to get to for our clients and incentives, but we have noticed those great hotels that groups stayed at last year have now risen in cost. High demand means rate increases unfortunately, and Bali is seeing a great influx in crowds powered by great flights from AUS, NZ and Europe.
Now this is not to say this should be removed from your bucket list of amazing places to see... FAR FROM IT IN FACT…. You can still find exceptional hotel rates and event products if you know where to look and what suppliers to go with. There are still lots of new hotel products like the Nusa Dua Renaissance coming online that are less well known, so if you are happy shopping around this still can get you what you want, at a price point that fits.
The way we now discuss a Bali trip is by comparing it to a 3 x day Gold Coast event – so you still can go further and get more, but it’s not the cheap location we used to know it as. We still love to promote its shores and encourage travel to this insta famous location.
Reinvigorate your perception of Melbourne!
Do you just think this is a weekend trip? Well think again! This Aussie metropolis is constantly re-inventing itself year in and year out and has hidden gems strewn through its alleys and lanes waiting to be discovered.
With new hotels constantly coming on the market maybe think again before trying to do something away from this southern hub. Most hotels have had a refurb, the docklands is really showing amazing promise, and flights are extremely available. (if Tay Tay isn’t doing a weekend concert that is!)
Quirky and Fabulous Things to Do
Sydney oysters anyone?
We both stumbled across this boutique little spot through the trade event and noticed now that it is appearing on our own personal social feeds as a must do. Broken Bay Oyster Farm, located 45 mins from Sydney CBD, delivers an amazing interactive tour activity and lunch for guests. It’s great for a high-end incentive group, who love food and something different, you get to hear from a pro about growing oysters, tour the ocean farm, and then can dine in the ocean. It’s something very different and something that is going so well they are launching in QLD as well… keep this on your radar for foodie groups!
Boujee Boats AHOY!
Duane had the opportunity to meet with the Scenic Eclipse boat team and was very taken aback by this very high-end cruising option travelling around the world each year (and yes stopping off in NZ to pick up travellers). These 2x boats allow groups a high end tour of selected global locations while providing fully inclusive rates including activities and ideas. Paired with a destination we think this could be a great way to motivate a group as something unexpected.
Now you might think - ‘What’s so different about these boats? Well, the absolute golden ticket with this boat was for us to see they have an Antarctica Peninsula cruise. Deemed the most pristine piece of ocean left on Earth, this is a dream destination for most and should be seen to be believed. Here you can discover legendary huts made immortal by explorers’ tales, ultimate adventure excursions like kayaking never trodden on bays, stepping out on ancient ice bergs, and meeting some emperor penguins. Bucket list item tick with this one!!
The other item in their scope is river cruises in Europe. Can we buy a boat out and travel the busy waterways of the Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary .. well yes , yes we can. This could be the perfect idea for a group that likes to compress a lot into a week.
We also had the chance to do some site visits while we were in Melbourne. Be sure to check out the next blog to find out about the amazing places on offer!