At the inaugural AIMS 2023 (Australian Intravital Microscopy Symposium 2023), the foundation was laid for our society to foster collaboration, facilitate the exchange of knowledge, and promote teamwork across institutions. This pivotal event marked the beginning of a journey towards advancing the community of intravital microscopists in Australia, uniting individuals, through shared experiences and by pooling expertise and resources, driving innovation and unlocking new frontiers in this field.