With just two weeks to go until AIME 2005, 13^th AsiaPacific Incentive & Meetings Expo, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has announced that exhibitor numbers have risen to 815, 58 more than in 2004 and 169 more than for AIME 2003.

“2004 was a record year for conference and business travel within and to Asia and this has been reflected in the overall growth of AIME over the last two years. Industry publications and current research suggests that demand in Asia will increase significantly in 2005, which bodes well for exhibitors at AIME 2005,” said Rosemarie Sama, AIME Exhibition Manager.

“AIME continues to attract more exhibitors from around the world, with companies this year representing 50 countries,” she said.

Australian exhibitors comprise 46% of the show with New Zealand and the Pacific accounting for 9.5%. The combined Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau and Regional Victoria Conference Group stand will be the largest in the show. Featuring more than 40 exhibitors the stand will showcase the best that Melbourne and the State of Victoria has to offer.

New Zealand will have its largest presence at AIME to date with 28 companies participating under the country’s banner.

Next to Australia, Asian exhibitors occupy the largest space at AIME 2005 comprising 27% of the show. Thai exhibitors have the largest stand in the region, followed closely by Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

Asian exhibitors who chose to increase their stand size at AIME this year include India Tourism, Japan National Tourist Office, Vietnam and China.

The number of international exhibitors has also increased, rising from 99 last year to 143 in 2005. New international exhibitors include: Visit Britain, Russian Event, Latitud90, Czech Tourism, Abu Dhabi Hotels, Maxin Prague and Regione Lombardia.

International exhibitors, who have increased their space this year, include Hawaii, Sultanate of Oman, Mauritius, South Africa, Allied Europe and the Spain Tourism Board.

“AIME 2005 will be the biggest AIME yet, covering 8,000 square metres of space. The floorplan also includes four cafes, an internet café, Hosted Buyer Lounge and a restaurant,” Ms Sama said. “Hosted Buyers numbers are also on target, with 425 buyers from 29 countries expected.”

Visitor numbers, which increased by more than 16% to 2,540 in 2004, are expected to rise again, thanks to a new advertising campaign and a continuation of last year’s successful public relations and e-marketing campaigns.