• Thank you for your interest in the AIME 2026 Hosted Buyer Program

  • International Applications close 5pm AEDT on 
    Friday, 28th November 2025

  • Domestic Applications close 5pm AEDT on
    Friday, 5th December 2025

  • Thank you for your interest in AIME 2026 (9 - 11 February), and welcome to the hosted buyer program application process!

    AIME, the Asia Pacific Incentive & Meetings Event, stands as a defining trade show for Business Events professionals (MICE - Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) worldwide. Known for its global reach and exceptional networking opportunities, AIME remains the premier platform for fostering business events growth and partnerships.

    Whether you're a seasoned event planner or new to the industry, AIME 2026 promises to build on its past successes, offering a dynamic platform for networking, learning, and business expansion. Explore a diverse array of over 700 exhibitors, showcasing everything from cutting-edge technology and stunning venues to exotic event destinations and premium service providers – all conveniently under one roof.

    We anticipate hosting 700 qualified buyers, facilitating tens of thousands of connections and business meetings at AIME 2026. Attendees from key markets across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond will converge, reaffirming our commitment to driving business growth and nurturing global partnerships.

    We warmly invite you to apply for our hosted buyer program and become a part of this dynamic event.

    Your participation will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Business Events industry, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming you to Melbourne.

    AIME Hosted Buyer Team

     

    To assist with your application we provide more information in the drop down menus below. Our first piece of advice is to complete the application on a computer and not on a phone or a mobile device - it will be much easier for you.

    • Who can be hosted? 

    • Domestic Hosted Buyers (HBs) are: 

      • Experienced Business Event planners with minimum 3 years’ experience who plan and manage business events from end-to-end (e.g., source, influence, make budgetary decisions, contract and deliver business events.) 
      • Experienced Business Event planners who work in different sectors of the business events industry including associations, PCOs, DMCs, event management agencies, corporate in-house event planners, incentive planners etc. 
      • Experienced venue ‘finders’ or venue sourcing companies for business events 
      • Experienced Business Event planners who plan and manage business events on a regular basis – minimum 6+ business events per annum / 50+ delegates. 
      • Associations – hosting a convention, congress or annual scientific meeting in the APAC region 
      • Business Event planners with less than 3 years’ experience can apply for our Accelerate Program. 
      • Business event planners are not wedding planners, nor tour operators / travel agents who only organise the tour or travel component for a business event. 

      NOTE: The above criteria and final decision are subject to the Hosted Buyer Teams' discretion.


      International Hosted Buyers (HBs) are: 

      • Experienced Business Event planners with minimum 3 years’ experience who plan and manage business events from end-to-end (e.g., source, influence, make budgetary decisions, contract and deliver business events). 
      • Experienced Business Event planners who work in different sectors of the business events industry including associations, PCOs, DMCs, event management agencies, corporate in-house event planners, incentive planners etc. 
      • Experienced venue ‘finders’ or venue sourcing companies for business events. 
      • Experienced Business Event planners who plan and manage business events outside of their own country – minimum number of events/delegates subject to application details. 
      • Associations – hosting a convention, congress or annual scientific meeting in the APAC region. 
      • Some business events must have been held in Australia / Asia-Pacific within the past 3 years and there are definite plans to organise business events in Australia / Asia-Pacific region. 
      • Fluent in English – to be able to correspond with the hosted buyer team and conduct meetings at the trade show without an interpreter. 
      • Business event planners are not wedding planners, nor tour operators / travel agents who only organise the tour or travel component for a business event. 

       
      NOTE: The above criteria and final decision are subject to the Hosted Buyer Teams' discretion. 

    • Application Process 

    • There are a few steps in the process to become a hosted buyer:

      Step 1 is completing the application form below – this is where you provide information on your company and your events in order for the AIME team to verify and qualify your application. The more information you provide, the stronger your application will be.

      Step 2 involves the assessment of your application by the hosted buyer team. Please be patient, this can take days or weeks, particuarly when we are reference checking and reliant upon referees to answer queries in a timely manner. 

      Step 3 is the approval phase. We will send you the terms and conditions to be hosted and it will be necessary to read, understand, and accept them before being officially confirmed. Then, once confirmed, you’re on board to attend AIME 2026 and we will provide further instructions at that point.

      Why such an indepth form and rigouous qualification process? It is a sizeable investment to host buyers, and a sizeable investment for our exhibitors to showcase their products and services on the show floor. We need to ensure there will be good matches between buyers and exhibitors for Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSAs). We curate your PSAs for you - saving you time.

    • Application form tips and information before you start 

    • Here are some tips before entering the application form:

      • It's highly recommended that you complete the form on a computer and not a mobile device.
      • The application form is lengthy and will take time to complete. If you cannot complete your application, click "Save and continue later" so you retain the information you have already entered.  You will need to create a Jotform account to access your form again.
      • International buyers will be asked to provide:
        • Examples of international business events (outside your own country) and Australian in-person business events you have organised (if applicable) since June 2023.  Proof of events and general details will be required.
        • Examples of at least two (2) potential future business event leads.
        • To make the application as speedy as possible to complete, it is recommended you have this information ready before starting.
      • Domestic buyers will be asked to provide:
        • Examples of domestic in-person business events and international in-person business events (if applicable) you have organised since January 2024. Proof of event and general details will be required.
        • Examples of at least two (2) potential future business event leads.
        • To make the application as speedy as possible to complete, it is recommended you have this information ready before starting.
      • Accelerate Program applicants (Rockets) will need to provide your managers information - the person whom you will 'shadow' during the pre-scheduled appointments (PSAs).
      • Event Verification: Either provide the URL for your event website or attach a pdf program, run sheet or venue agreement.  These must include the name, dates and venue for that event.

  • PERSONAL INFORMATION

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  • HOSTED BUYER TYPE

    How would you like to be hosted?

  • Fully Hosted Buyer (FHB)

    On a complimentary basis AIME will provide:

    • Return economy flights to Melbourne from a major city location (excluding Victorian Hosted Buyers)
    • Accommodation with buffet breakfast in a 4 or 5-star hotel 
    • Group coach transfers available to/from Melbourne airport (as per set scheduled timings only)
    • MCB Famil Program on Sunday 8 February - showcasing hidden gems and unique event experiences in Melbourne - International Hosted Buyers only
    • A ticket to Knowledge Monday on Monday 9 February 
    • A ticket to The AIME Welcome Event on Monday 9 February 
    • Morning, afternoon tea and lunch on show days – Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Access to Ideas on the Floor on Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Tickets to ‘Invite Only’ exclusive events
    • Access to the ‘Hosted Buyers Lounge’ in the middle of the show floor
    • And much more.... 

    In return, FHBs will be required to commit to 32 x 15-minute PSAs (Pre-Scheduled Appointments) across two days.

  • Semi-Hosted Buyer (SHB)

    On a complimentary basis AIME will provide:

    • Accommodation with buffet breakfast in a 4 or 5-star hotel 
    • MCB Famil Program on Sunday 8 February - showcasing hidden gems and unique event experiences in Melbourne - International Hosted Buyers only
    • A ticket to Knowledge Monday on Monday 9 February 
    • A ticket to The AIME Welcome Event on Monday 9 February 
    • Morning, afternoon tea and lunch on show days – Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Access to Ideas on the Floor on Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Tickets to ‘Invite Only’ exclusive events
    • Access to the ‘Hosted Buyers Lounge’ in the middle of the show floor
    • And much more.... 

    In return, SHBs will be required to commit 20 x 15-minute PSAs (Pre-Scheduled Appointments) across two days.

    The difference between HBs and SHBs:

    32 PSAs for a HB (flights included) compared to

    20 PSAs for a SHB (flights NOT included)

  • Hosted Day Buyer (DB) - Wednesday PSAs

    On a complimentary basis AIME will provide:

    • A ticket to Knowledge Monday on Monday 9 February 
    • A ticket to The AIME Welcome Event on Monday 9 February 
    • Morning, afternoon tea and lunch on show days – Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Access to Ideas on the Floor on Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Access to the ‘Hosted Buyers Lounge’ in the middle of the show floor

    In return you would be committing to 10 x 15-minute Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSAs) on Wednesday 11 February.

    We also encourage you to attend AIME on Tuesday 10 February if you wish, however PSAs for DBs will ONLY be scheduled on Wednesday 11 February.

  • The Accelerate Program for the 'Rockets' of the industry

    Rockets are event coordinators (or similar) who have less than three (3) years' experience in the Business Events industry - but rocketing towards success. Normally coordinators are ineligible to join AIME in a ‘hosted buyer’ capacity. The Accelerate Program is available to assist the more junior members of our industry to network, learn and grow - using AIME to accelerate their industry career path.

    Your manager will be required to attend in a hosted, semi-hosted or hosted day buyer capacity and you, as the ‘Rocket", would join your manager on their Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSAs). Your manager would introduce you to exhibitors relevant to your company, meeting them face-to-face and building future relationships.

    All ‘Rockets’ (interstate or Victorian) will be provided with:

    • A ticket to Knowledge Monday on Monday 9 February 
    • A ticket to The AIME Welcome Event on Monday 9 February 
    • Morning, afternoon tea and lunch on show days – Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Access to Ideas on the Floor on Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Access to the ‘Hosted Buyers Lounge’ in the middle of the show floor

    Note: Flights, accommodation and transfers will not be covered by AIME.

  • COMPANY INFORMATION

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  • BUSINESS EVENTS PROFILE

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  • INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EVENT EXAMPLES

  • Please provide examples of four (4) in-person business events you have organised INTERNATIONALLY - outside of your own country - since June 2023 (including any business events organised in Australia during that time).

  • Please provide examples of four (4) in-person business events where you have sourced venues INTERNATIONALLY - outside of your own country - since June 2023 (including any business events organised in Australia during that time).

    • Business Event Example #1 
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  • DOMESTIC BUSINESS EVENT EXAMPLES

  • Please provide examples of four (4) in-person business events you have organised in a DOMESTIC location since January 2024.

  • Please provide examples of four (4) in-person business events you have contracted/confirmed for your clients which were/will be held in 2025.

    • Business Event Example #1 
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    • Business Event Example #4 
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  • INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EVENTS

  • Please provide information on two (2) international business events you have organised (or sourced for venue finding companies) outside Australia since June 2023.

    • Business Event Example #1 
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    • Business Event Example #2 
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  • BUSINESS EVENT LEADS - *CONFIDENTIAL*

    Future Business Event leads - confidential information which is provided to the hosted buyer team and is not shared with any third party. Please note, as this information is critical, not sharing leads may impact the outcome of your application.

  • Please provide leads for one (1) or two (2) business events you are planning or likely to organise in AUSTRALIA in 2026/2027.

    This information is 100% confidential.

    We understand that you may not have these details confirmed as yet, but we do need indicative details to fully assess your application.

    • Business Event Lead #1 
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    • Business Event Lead #2 
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  • Please provide leads for one (1) or two (2) business events you are organising or likely to organise in ASIA-PACIFIC in 2026/2027 (outside of your own country if you are based in Asia).

    This information is 100% confidential. 

    We understand that you may not have these details confirmed as yet, but we do need indicative details to fully assess your application.

    • APAC Business Event Lead #1 
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    • APAC Business Event Lead #2 
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  • BUSINESS EVENT LEADS - *CONFIDENTIAL*

    Future Business Event Leads - confidential information which is provided to the hosted buyer team and is not shared with any third party. Please note, as this information is critical, not sharing leads may impact the outcome of your application.

  • Note: If you need to step away from your application, please scroll to the bottom of this page and click "Save and continue later" to save the populated information.

  • Please provide leads of two (2) in-person DOMESTIC business events you plan to organise in 2026 / 2027.

    This information is 100% confidential.

    We understand that you may not have these details confirmed as yet, but we do need indicative details to fully assess your application.

    • Business Event Lead #1 
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    • Business Event Lead #2 
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  • MEETING MATCHING REQUIREMENTS

    The information provided on this page will assist you once the meeting matching process starts by highlighting exhibitors suitable to your needs and help exhibitors understand your business.

  • Below is an example:

    Our specialist events division creates, coordinates, manages and promotes everything from high profile special events, business networking events and corporate functions, through to conferences, community events, awards and launches – over 30 events/year in States of Australia such as .......... (or whatever regions & destinations around the world that are appropriate.....). We use various types of venues but look for mainly luxury hotels (or maybe it's 3, 4 or 4 star hotels, or convention centres?). We also look for specialty venues such as ............ for........ types of events. We generally require venues and event services for around 30 to 150 attendees.

  • TRAVEL INFORMATION

    Your ability to travel to Australia

  • ROCKETS

    Manager and supporting information

  • AIME created the Accelerate Program for our Business Events industry 'Rockets' as they do not generally have the 3+ years of experience or background that is requried to apply as a hosted buyer. To accommodate Rockets at AIME, and provide some of the hosted buyer benefits, we give Rockets the opportunity to 'shadow' their manager on their pre-scheduled appointments (PSAs) and be introduced to the exhibitors on the show floor.

    In order to be accepted, your Manager must be approved and confirmed to attend as a Hosted Buyer.

    Please provide the following information on the person who you would like to accompany on their PSAs – eg. manager/team leader:

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  • REFERRALS

    Can you recommend any senior event planners who organise 6+ business events with more than 50 attendees each year outside of their state, who may qualify to be hosted and will benefit from joining you on the AIME experience? If so, we will invite them to attend, if you provide their information (with their permission of course).
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