Destination NSW made a strong statement at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2026, partnering with BESydney and more than 40 NSW venues, hotels and experience providers from 9–11 February.
As the Asia Pacific’s largest business events exhibition, AIME was a powerful platform to showcase why NSW continues to lead Australia as a business events destination.
At the NSW stand, more than 800 one‑to‑one appointments were held with qualified buyers from across Australia and the wider Asia‑Pacific - driving new leads and tangible opportunities for visitor economy operators right across the state.
The business events sector has been identified as a key growth priority in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, delivering high-value visitors who stay longer, spend more and create year-round demand for accommodation, venues and visitor experiences across the state.
In the year ending December 2024, there were 3.4 million business event visitors to Sydney who spent an estimated $4.1 billion while in the city. Of those visitors, 2.3 million were domestic overnight and 347,500 were international visitors.
In the same year, there were 3.2 million business event visitors to regional NSW who spent an estimated $1.8 billion. Of those visitors, 1.9 million were domestic overnight, 1.3 million were domestic daytrip and 38,100 were international visitors.
Regional NSW offers immersive, authentic, experience-rich business events that deliver more than a meeting - they create lasting impact.
From board retreats and company offsites to client activations, incentives, and multi-day conferences, Destination NSW’s Business Events NSW program provides free, practical advice and connections to help planners bring their vision to life.
Learn more here.
