The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has today revealed the theme, location and details of its highly anticipated 2026 Welcome Event, set to take place on Monday 9 February at Evoqé, Melbourne.
Titled Aimagination, the opening night celebration invites attendees to step into an experience designed to be felt rather than explained. Held across three immersive levels at Evoqé on Queen Street, the event will blend inventive drinks, standout food and unexpected moments to mark AIME 2026.
A white or soft neutral dress code will set the visual tone as more than 2200 global business events professionals gather for AIME 2026’s official evening Welcome Event.
The evening will build towards a special surprise headliner performance at 9pm, promising a memorable highlight for attendees and setting the tone for the days ahead.
The annual Welcome Event is a cornerstone of the AIME experience and will be attended by Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners and industry VIPs, with Visitor Buyers able to attend by upgrading their ticket.
AIME Event Director Silke Calder says the Welcome Event is designed to spark connection and creativity as the AIME community gathers in Melbourne.
“The Welcome Event is an important opportunity to bring the AIME community together in a meaningful and fun way,” Calder says.
“Aimagination is about stepping outside the expected and opening the door to new ideas, new conversations and new possibilities. It is bold, immersive and unmistakably AIME, and we cannot wait to welcome our industry friends from around the world to experience it for themselves.”
Evoqé Managing Director Brad Dabbs says the venue was created to spark curiosity, invite exploration, and gently disrupt expectations, making it a natural home for Aimagination.
“Evoqé is named for what we set out to do — evoke curiosity, imagination and emotion. There’s a mischievous spirit at the heart of the venue; it’s designed to surprise, to challenge expectations, and to reward those who are willing to explore,” he says.
“It’s not a static space. Evoqé unfolds as you move through it, revealing moments that feel playful, immersive and a little unexpected.
Aimagination celebrates bold ideas and creative thinking, and hosting it at Evoqé allows the venue itself to become part of the story. We can’t wait to welcome the global events community and invite them into an experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but is serious about leaving a lasting impression.”
AIME 2026 will run from 9 to 11 February 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), welcoming more than 5000 attendees from across the global business events industry.
The 2026 event will feature more than 766 exhibitors and marks the largest show delivered under Event Director Silke Calder and her team at Talk2 Media & Events.