AIPC @ AIME returns in 2026 with a dedicated summit for convention and exhibition centres, taking place on Wednesday 11 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Once again, AIME and AIPC are joining forces to deliver a bespoke summit designed exclusively for venue leaders across the APAC region. The session is open to all convention and exhibition centres, with no AIPC membership required, and has one clear objective: to connect, learn, share and grow together while keeping the conversation practical, honest and engaging.
Last year’s summit clearly demonstrated the value of bringing the APAC convention centre community together. Despite the region’s diversity, venue leaders continue to face shared priorities, including evolving customer expectations, rapid technological change, talent attraction and retention, and the growing need to innovate sustainably.
Building on this momentum, the 2026 programme is designed to spark open dialogue, encourage peer-led exchange and strengthen collaboration across the region. Through practical discussion and grounded insights, AIPC @ AIME provides a focused environment to connect, learn and build collective industry resilience.
Programme:
- 13:00-13:10: Welcome & introduction by Ross Steele, CEO Christchurch
- 13:10-13:50: The Q1 Global Outlook by Sven Bossu, CEO AIPC
- 13:50-14:30: Exercise: Have you adapted your strategy to waves of ongoing change?
- 14:30-14:45: Coffee Break
- 14:45-15:15: The voice of the new generation: 3 students give their view on how they see the event industry moving forward and what they consider to be an event they would consider a “must-do”
- 15:15:16:00: CEOs vs Students – an actual debate on the future of the event industry
- 16:00-16:45: Closing Keynote
- 16:45-16:50: Closing by Ross Steele, CEO Christchurch
- 16:50-18:00: Networking cocktail
Registrations are now open. Click here to register .
We look forward to continuing these important conversations and welcoming the community back in Melbourne.
