AIME adds two members to leadership team

/

Australia, 11th August: The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced two appointments to its executive team, by adding Monica Kent-Giles as Marketing Director, and Brook Campbell as Buyer Engagement Director.

Kent-Giles has executive experience across APAC, EMEA, and the US, by serving as senior marketing roles at various organisations. Campbell has more than 20 years of experience across hotels, corporate events, convention centres, and tourism bureaux. She will focus on optimising the buyer journey and matching decision-makers with exhibitors.

AIME 2027 is scheduled to run from 15th to 17th February 2027, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

BOL up in revenues and profits in Q2

/

Bangkok, 11th August: Earlier this week, Business Online (BOL), an online information service provider in Thailand, reported its financial results for the quarter ended 30th June 2026. Revenues during the quarter were US$7.03 million, a year-on-year increase of 7.7%. The company’s profits also grew by 7.8%, reaching at US$2.7 million.

BOL also released its results for the six months ended 30th June. Revenues in the first half of the year were US$13 million, up 8.7% year-on-year. Net profits in the six-month period increased by 8.3%, amounting at US$5.0 million. Diluted earnings per share during the first half of 2026 were Baht 0.201 (US$0.0060).

According to the company, the performance growth was due to a broader contribution across multiple business segments, together with the analytics service through the introduction of new features designed to enhance business linkages.

Tourism Australia updates strategic plan

/

Australia, 5th August: Tourism Australia has released Tourism 2035, a new 10-year strategic plan, aiming at creating future demand and competitiveness for Australia as a destination internationally and supporting the nation’s tourism sector.

The new Tourism 2035 targes to grow total overnight high yield traveller spend to between A$61 billion (US$39.7 billion) and A$69 billion (US$44.9 billion) by 2035.

Ten key global factors influencing future demand for Australia’s tourism offering had been identified at Tourism 2035: 1) High yield competition; 2) The Asian Century continues; 3) Breadth drives choice; 4) The massive potential of major events; 5) The future of flight; 6) The era of volatility; 7) Multiple paths of purchase; 8) Attention fragmentation; 9) Rise in travel for good; 10) Natural desire.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Robin Mack, said, “This strategy sets an ambitious course to create and convert demand into high-value visitation to Australia by addressing factors influencing traveller choice, through harnessing technology and fostering partnerships and collaboration across the tourism sector. Our vision is for Australia to be the first destination every traveller dreams of, and the one they ultimately choose. The goal is for Australia to double the expenditure generated by high yield travellers to as much as A$69 billion by 2035.”

In 2025, international visitors contributed A$57 billion (US$37.1 billion) in total overnight spend, of which A$33 billion (US$21.5 billion) were generated by Tourism Australia’s strategic targeting of high yield travellers in the marketing.

100+ exhibitions booths at first IBEM

/

Jakarta, 5th August: The inaugural Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM) concluded with the co-located Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF), welcoming more than 1,00 delegates from Indonesia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

Running from 28th to 31st July 2026, at Jakarta International Convention Center, IBEM occupied more than 100 exhibition booths, featuring destinations, convention bureaux, hotels, convention and exhibition centres, destination management companies, cruise operators, event technology providers, and other business event suppliers. Conferences, business appointments, networking events, and cultural experiences were held during the events, reaffirming Indonesia’s position as a leading MICE destination in Southeast Asia.

Quick takes

/

IEG’s profit up 34% in first half

Last week, Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A. (IEG) released its half-yearly financial report ended 30th June 2026. Revenues in the report period were €163 million (US$186 million), a year-on-year increase of 9%. Net profit in the six-month period grew by 34% year-on-year, reaching €23 million (US$26 million). The company attributed the increase in performance mainly to the growth in events in the portfolio. The company has revised its guidance for the 2026 financial year, expecting revenues to be between €293 million (US$335 million) and €298 million (US$340 million).

Informa TechTarget launches new tool

Informa TechTarget launched the B2B AI Authority Index, which is a diagnostic tool designed to help B2B marketers assess and enhance their brand’s ability to influence buyers in AI-mediated purchase journeys. The B2B AI Authority Index is based on six core capabilities, S.I.G.N.A.L.: Strategy, Insight, Governance, Authority, Narrative, and Longevity.

Messe Düsseldorf appoints new CEO & President in North America

International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, has appointed Geoffrey Sauer as CEO & President of Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA), Messe Düsseldorf’s U.S. subsidiary based in Chicago, Illinois. Effective 17th August 2026, Sauer will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Messe Düsseldorf’s U.S. subsidiary, with priorities to further developing the existing trade fair portfolio while expanding new, sustainable event formats and business models. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience across the international trade fair, media, and technology sectors, including launching new event formats, expanding international exhibitor participation, and building strategic partnerships with industry associations, government organisations, and multinational companies.