Welcome to our weekly wrap-up of MICE News, which covers meetings, incentives, conferences, and events across Australia and around the world. If you are in the MICE industry, this is what you need to know as our writers stay on top of the latest developments.
If you have any MICE news, please send it to kate@travelmonitor.com.au
AIME named best event in 2025 at the Australian Business Events Awards
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is celebrating dual honours after being named Best Event in 2025 and Best Trade Show in 2025 at the Australian Business Events Association Awards last night. The awards cap off a year of growth, innovation and influence for AIME, as the team prepares for a record-breaking event in 2026.
AIME connects international and local buyers with world-class exhibitors from Asia Pacific and around the world. Next year’s three-day event will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), 9-11 February 2026. AIME 2026 will feature over 4,500 attendees including 700 exhibitors, 700 hosted buyers and more than 20,000 pre-scheduled appointments. For more information, visit aime.com.au.
Jakarta emerges as a new MICE Hotspot
Jakarta is rising as a leading MICE destination in Southeast Asia. With strong international connectivity and well-developed business facilities, the city is attracting more global corporate travellers. Leading this momentum is Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta, recently named Best Business Hotel in Indonesia at the TTG Asia Awards 2025 — a recognition that reinforces its position as the city’s top choice for international business travellers seeking exceptional service, premium facilities, and a strategic location. For reservations or more information, please email to mojkt-reservations@mohg.com or visit our website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/jakarta/jalan-mh-thamrin/meet
Business Events to take centre stage in Melbourne
Australia’s world class business events offerings will be on display, as Australia Next, Australia’s signature incentive showcase, kicks off in Melbourne. The Australian business events industry will meet with almost 100 international business events buyers and show them first-hand the diverse incentive offering and event capabilities on offer in Australia. International business events buyers will see the best that Australia has to offer by visiting regional Victoria, Cairns, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart.
Year after year, Australia Next drives real outcomes and helps to establish a strong pipeline of international business events across Australia. Over the past two years the showcase has helped to secure 45 events for Australia worth almost $37 million and it is expected those numbers will continue to grow.
EVT Connect Hospitality launches with successful acquisition of Pro-invest Hotels
EVT Limited today announced the successful completion of its Pro-invest Hotels (PIH) acquisition, marking the official launch of EVT Connect Hospitality, and cementing EVT’s status as the second largest hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand.
EVT has a committed hotel growth strategy anchored on three strategic pillars:
- EVT Owned Brands – Expansion through QT, Rydges, Atura and LyLo owned brands via key city hotel ownership and asset light management solutions across Australia, New Zealand and expanding into Southeast Asia.
- EVT Independent Collection – EVT can create independent brands for asset owners that seek to retain ownership of brand IP while leveraging EVT’s extensive experience, now spanning 20 properties.
- EVT Connect Hospitality – Hotel owners can now leverage EVT’s expansive capabilities combined with a third-party hotel brand franchise to deliver above market performance. The successful completion of the Pro-invest deal means that this pillar for growth now has 15 hotels and 3,200 rooms under management.
For more information, visit EVT Connect Hospitality
