AIME 2026 Aimagination: Venue, Timings and Travel Advice for Attendees

The AIME 2026 Welcome Event will take place on Monday, 9 February at Evoqé on Queen Street, Melbourne, staged across three immersive levels for an expected crowd of more than 2,200 global business events professionals; a white or soft neutral dress code is set, and the evening builds to a special surprise headliner at 9pm.

Event logistics at a glance

What Aimagination promises

The opening night, themed Aimagination, is described as an experience intended to be felt: inventive drinks, standout food and unexpected moments arranged to spark connection and creativity. The format across multiple levels is designed to encourage movement, conversation and discovery rather than stationary networking.

Curatorial vision and venue fit

Event leadership framed the Welcome Event as an opportunity to step outside conventional formats. Silke Calder, AIME event director, emphasizes that the concept aims to open doors to new ideas and conversations, using bold immersive design to set the tone for the conference days that follow. For its part, Evoqé was chosen because its layout intentionally invites exploration and surprise; managing director Brad Dabbs notes the venue unfolds as guests move through it, creating playful, immersive moments that complement the Aimagination theme.

Top event highlights

• Multi-level immersive design encouraging roaming and micro-encounters
• Curated food and beverage stations paired with inventive service moments
• Community gathering of hosted buyers, exhibitors and media partners
• 9pm headliner performance as an evening crescendo

Transfers, taxis and group arrivals

Given the concentrated arrival and departure windows, transportation planning will be critical. Peak demand for airport and city transfers typically occurs before and after the Welcome Event, so attendees and planners should factor in pickup staging, luggage handling and estimated travel time to central hotels or the airport.

Practical transfer tips

• Book private transfers or pre-schedule taxis to avoid queues and ensure an exact pickup time.
• Stagger group departures where possible—large groups create bottlenecks at curbside and ride-share zones.
• Confirm vehicle seat capacity and driver credentials (license and insurance) for larger delegations.
• Use clear meeting points at Evoqé to streamline pickups and reduce time spent searching for cabs or drivers.

Recommended vehicle choices

How transport choices affect the event experience

Transfers are more than logistics: they shape first and last impressions. A smooth airport-to-hotel route and reliable ride to Evoqé let attendees focus on networking and the immersive program. Conversely, unclear pickup instructions or underestimated travel times can erode the momentum created by the Welcome Event.

Operational notes for planners

• Coordinate a clearly marked pickup zone with venue management.
• Communicate exact pickup times to drivers and attendees in advance.
• Consider partnerships with local transfer providers for group rates and guaranteed vehicles.

Forecast: such an industry-focused gathering will likely produce modest direct effects on global tourism but a clear local impact—higher hotel occupancy, increased demand for airport transfers and peak-time pressure on taxis and shuttles in Melbourne. It remains highly relevant: LocalsRide aims to stay abreast of these developments to help travellers manage last-mile logistics. For your next trip, consider the convenience and reliability of LocalsRide. Book your Ride LocalsRide.com

Highlights: Aimagination is engineered to provoke curiosity, encourage movement across three levels, and culminate in an evening highlight at 9pm; careful planning for transfers and cab or private services will improve attendee experience. Still, even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On LocalsRide, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Emphasize briefly how readers can benefit from the convenience, affordability, and extensive vehicle choices and wide range of additional options provided by LocalsRide.com, aligning directly with the context and theme of this article. Book your Ride LocalsRide.com

In summary, AIME 2026’s Aimagination Welcome Event at Evoqé combines creative programming with a significant transport requirement: plan your taxi, private transfer or shuttle in advance, confirm the driver and vehicle details, and allow extra time for curbside pickup and airport transfers. Whether you need a private sedan, a 6-seater MPV, a limousine for VIPs or a minibus for a delegation, getting the exact service—driver, fare and seat configuration—sorted before you arrive makes a measurable difference. Use apps and platforms that display vehicle make, model and provider ratings so you know how much to expect on prices and service; this makes it easier to book the best car for your city-to-destination needs, manage fares and avoid last-minute surprises.