Cocktails and Cobblestones: The IHG Annual AIME Dinner 2017

Cocktails in a cobblestoned laneway, street art lining the walls, roving food stations with cuisines from all corners of the globe, and whiskey with smooth jazz to end the night.
You can’t really get more ‘Melbourne’ if you tried.

At the IHG annual AIME dinner, guests from all over the globe, including China, the US and Germany, were treated to an experience that went beyond the usual crudités and chit-chat.

The first stage of the evening began in the historic laneway nestled between the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, and the Rialto proper. Sipping elderflower and gin cocktails, the conversation was lively, with a hot topic being the surrounding space: a towering-yet-intimate venue, complete with stencil graffiti and murals. With a DJ spinning some tunes to pump up the spirit, and moreish canapés being passed around, the anticipation was building. Cue the hotel concierge welcoming guests, promising a night that was going to be an ode to Melbourne and all her beautiful quirks. Street art? Check. Bespoke cocktails? Check. Cobblestones? Check — unfortunately some didn’t get the memo about wearing flat shoes. There were stilettos, yet no spilled drinks. Impressive.

The second stage of the roving event involved a sit-down-stand-up dinner. It was like a Melbourne night market, but with white linen napkins. Food stations peppered around the room, guests could choose their own adventure and opt for sushi, tacos, dumplings, or perhaps a slider...or five. The room was filled with the animated voices of a group of people who were passionate about their various industries, united under the AIME umbrella.

The purpose of AIME, the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo, is to foster education and relationship growth between those involved in the events and bookings industry. Think venues, hotels, airlines and audio visual companies.

As an events booking tech company, our team at Venuemob get a great deal out of AIME.

“I think this was the eighth time I've been to AIME,” says Lauren Carlyle, Venuemob’s Corporate Business Development Manager.

“I've attended as a visitor, hosted buyer and exhibitor, and every year I've taken something new away from the exhibition.

“AIME is a great opportunity to reconnect with venues and suppliers, and to catch up with clients.”

Grace Collins, who is in constant contact with venues across Australia in her role as Market Growth Manager, says AIME is a great opportunity for her to welcome interstate clients to Melbourne, face-to-face.

“Working for such a large and transferable company means my network is no longer who I actually meet and shake hands with, so I’m looking forward to saying hi and getting to really know them.”

The IHG dinner perfectly embodied this AIME spirit of education through connection. As the night began to wind down, guests were treated to a few more glasses of wine, whiskey, cheese and dessert. It was the final ‘xo’ on what had been a love letter to Melbourne.