Keynote Speakers for 2025 Knowledge Programme Revealed

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced two more keynote speakers for its highly anticipated 2025 Knowledge Program to take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in February.

This year’s Knowledge Program theme, “We Matter!”, focuses on the global business events industry as a powerful driver of economic growth. Attendees will be guided by two standout speakers who will explore the crucial link between personal wellbeing, innovation and industry success.

Dr Kristy Goodwin (pictured below), a neuro-performance scientist and award-winning author, is celebrated for turning cutting-edge neuroscience and technology research into performance-boosting strategies. In her keynote sponsored by speaker bureau Ovations!, she will arm attendees with insights to thrive in today's digitally driven world.

Gus Balbontin (left), former executive director and CTO of Lonely Planet, takes a disruptive approach to innovation. With his unique brand of rebellious thinking, in his keynote sponsored by ICMI, he promises to challenge the audience to embrace discomfort as the starting point for breakthrough ideas.  

In her keynote address Powered-Up Performers: The Neuroscience of Sustainable Peak Performance in a Digital Age Dr Goodwin will equip AIME delegates with cutting-edge insights and practical brain-based micro-habits to enhance productivity, manage stress, and maximise energy in today’s digitally intense environment.

“I’ll share simple micro-habits that event professionals can integrate into their daily lives to become a high-res, powered-up version of themselves,” Dr Goodwin says. “Wellbeing is essential for anyone who wants to continue driving growth in the events industry.”

Balbontin is equally eager to push the AIME audience out of their comfort zone in his session titled, Adapt. 

"I'm excited to challenge them, to provoke fresh thinking, and help them reconnect with the rebellious mindset that fuels innovation," he says. “I always say to the audience, if I don’t make you uncomfortable, you’re not going to learn anything new.”

Expected to draw more than 1500 global event professionals to the opening day of AIME 2025, the Knowledge Program is hosted and curated by BEAMexperience founder El Kwang, who is committed to elevating the program to new heights. 

“This year’s dynamic speakers underpin our ambition to craft a superior and pertinent Knowledge Program that builds on past successes, sets new standards in content leadership, and solidifies AIME’s reputation as the quintessential hub for gathering and learning.”

AIME Event Director Silke Calder says the keynote speakers reflect and highlight the broader aims of the Knowledge Program, which is to provide unparalleled insights, inspiration and intelligence for event professionals.

“We are thrilled to have such inspirational and exciting speakers to launch the Knowledge Program at AIME 2025. Each year the Knowledge Program continues to grow and is a key programming element of AIME, which bolsters our commitment to furthering education and professional growth opportunities for our industry,” Calder says.

“We will be announcing the full program in the next few weeks, it's shaping up to be our best yet!"

AIME 2025 will run 10-12 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).  The AIME 2025 Knowledge Program is open to Hosted Buyers, Hosted Media, Exhibitors, and Visitor Buyers who upgrade their tickets.