| Daily news, 19 Feb 2008 |
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| by Ruby Gonzalez |
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MELBOURNE – AIME 2008, which kicks off today, is featuring its new environmental policy as Australia’s first exhibition to be a climate-neutral event.
“We have implemented a range of measures to reduce materials, recycle what we cannot eliminate, and to carbon-offset our energy requirements, all functions, and all hosted buyer flights,” said Rosemarie Sama Event Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions. ”This joint initiative of RTE and MCVB, assisted by Climate Friendly, sets a benchmark for other exhibitions in Australia. We hope that all our hosted buyers, visitors and exhibitors will embrace our ‘green’ initiatives by using the recycling receptacles around the Centre.”
Exhibition floor coverage this year increased by eight percent to 13,500sqm, spurred by demand from a number of exhibitors, especially from the Middle East, Asia and New Zealand. AIME 2008 – the biggest exhibition yet – has a total of 850.
Buyer response is also up. “We have also had a wonderful response to our new hosted buyer programme. This year AIME has fully hosted all but local buyers. Based on the number of buyers who registered and qualified, we expect to see hosted buyers numbers up by 20 per cent on last year,” Sama said.
Some 480 buyers are expected, representing Australia and 26 other countries.
Exhibitors cited that the quality of buyers has always been AIME’s strength.
“Each year the reason for our participation is that percentage of business coming from Oceana has grown extensively. It is the premier show to be in. The end results that we capture as a destination is extremely valuable and the business conversion that we experience is excellent,” said Adele Tasaka, senior director of accounts, corporate meetings & incentives, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
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