The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has revealed the full agenda for its expanded 2026 Knowledge Monday program.
Dec 11: Opening AIME 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Monday 9 February, the program is built around this year’s theme, Expertise Matters! , highlighting the credibility, clarity and strategic influence that business events professionals bring to a rapidly changing global landscape.
Curated by AIME in collaboration with BEAMexperience Founder El Kwang and guided by an Advisory Committee of respected industry leaders from across Asia Pacific, Knowledge Monday will feature high-impact keynote presentations and an extensive series of breakout sessions designed to sharpen skills, elevate strategic thinking and strengthen industry capability.
Attendees can select from 22 breakout sessions across two 60-minute streams, each designed to deepen expertise across five core content categories: Business Strategy & Leadership; Event Management & Experience Design; Technology, AI & Data; Humanity, Talent & Skills Development ; and Sustainability & Legacy.
Topics span the full spectrum of contemporary industry priorities, such as navigating AI-enhanced environments, designing for authentic human engagement, elevating leadership effectiveness, creating legacy-driven event strategies, mastering chaos with confidence, and transforming creativity into measurable commercial outcomes.
Across formats including workshops, panels and presentations, more than 30 industry experts and specialists will lead the sessions. Speakers include Anna Glynn, Dr Danny Davis, Jess Turnbull, George Hawwa, Ian Jones, Andy Sharpe, Winitha Bonney OAM, Stephanie Tranquille, Dave Chauhan and Anna Patterson, and content partners including SITE ANZ, PCMA APAC, AIPC, AuSAE, EarthCheck with ICCA APAC and IAPCO.
Before the breakout sessions begin, delegates will be guided by three standout keynote speakers who set the tone for the day’s exploration into the art and science of expertise:
Dan Haesler, Performance and Leadership Coach (presented by Saxton Group), will explore how mindset and environment shape authentic engagement and professional impact.
Milo Wilkinson, Behavioural Scientist and Futurist (presented by ICMI Speakers Bureau), will uncover the neuroscience behind decision-making, attention and trust, decoding how subconscious drivers influence strategic event design.
Kristina Karlsson, Founder of kikki.K and Dream Life, will share a powerful and personal account of resilience, reinvention and lived expertise, offering practical tools for purpose-driven leadership.
AIME Event Director Silke Calder says Knowledge Monday continues to grow in scale and significance, setting a powerful educational foundation for the three days of AIME.
“We are thrilled to welcome an extraordinary group of keynote presenters and breakout speakers who bring deep expertise, fresh ideas and real-world experience to the program,” Calder says.
“Their collective insights will challenge, uplift and equip our community with practical tools to lead with confidence and clarity in the year ahead.”
Calder says the thoughtful and diverse program reflects extensive collaboration across the advisory committee and BEAMexperience.
“Congratulations to El Kwang and the Content Advisory committee, who have curated an inspiring and highly relevant lineup that encourages delegates to think boldly, act with purpose and harness the power of their expertise.”
Knowledge and ideas will continue to flow across the show floor on 10 and 11 February, with the Ideas Academy presented by Spice returning as a dynamic space for fast, thought-provoking discussions throughout the event.
The AIME 2026 Knowledge Monday program brings together AIME Hosted Buyers and Exhibitors, while Visitor Buyers can upgrade their tickets to attend.
AIME 2026 will run 9-11 February 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Returning for its biggest edition yet delivered by Calder and her team, the event will feature over 4,500 attendees including 700 exhibitors, 700 hosted buyers and more than 20,000 pre-scheduled appointments.