The 17th Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME 09), which takes place in at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 17-28 February, will once again have a strong education element.

Announced by organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions and Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau, the programme will include a return of the popular Business Events Forum, which this year will focus on corporate social responsibility. In particular, it will look at what leading-edge organisations are doing to make a difference.

Featuring an international panel facilitated by Elizabeth Rich, executive director of the Business Events Council of Australia, the Forum will provide information on how organisations can adapt business practices to operate in a way that meets or exceeds the ethical, social and environmental expectations of today’s society.

AIME’s successful Master Class programme continues in 2009, with 10 one-hour seminars providing practical information on making event planning easier.  Hosted buyers will also have access to a special Master Class, scheduled to complement their appointment schedules.

“We have worked closely with Event Planners Australia, a professional conference organiser, to deliver the most relevant topics for buyers and delegates to AIME 09,” said acting event director, Elizabeth Sarian.

“Exit surveys plus a later email survey to gain feedback from visitors on topics and speakers they are most interested in, cemented our approach to deliver relevant intellectual content and provide a strong facilitator for each session. Suggested topics, such as technology, human resources, time management and return on investment have been included in the programme.”

For further information on the AIME Education Program, visit www.aime.com.au