The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) hosts MICE Industry Leaders Connect: Focus West at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, bringing together government representatives, tourism boards and industry leaders to discuss strengthening India’s position in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market.
During the event, Sanjay Yadav, Secretary, Maharashtra Tourism, proposed establishing a Western Region MICE Task Force to encourage collaboration among Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa. The proposed initiative aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing, joint international promotion and coordinated bids to attract major exhibitions, conferences and corporate events to the region.
Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, highlighted the progress made in India’s convention and exhibition infrastructure over the past decade. He cited venues such as Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi and the Jio World Convention Centre as examples of the country’s growing capacity to host large-scale international business events.
Billa also highlighted the Maharashtra Convention Bureau as an important step towards improving destination promotion, supporting international convention bids and strengthening cooperation between government and industry. He encouraged other states and major cities to consider establishing dedicated convention bureaus to attract a greater share of global MICE business.
India currently accounts for approximately 1% of the global MICE market, highlighting the potential for further growth. Yadav also outlined plans for new convention centres in Nagpur by 2027, followed by projects in Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
Sooraj Dhawan, President, IEIA, emphasised the importance of combining infrastructure, connectivity, progressive policies and public-private collaboration to strengthen India’s competitiveness in the international exhibitions and business events sector.
The event also brought together Devendra Bharma, CEO, Jio World Convention Centre; Dr Abhay Arvind Bedekar, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board; and Saumil Ranjan Chaubey, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board.
The proposed task force could provide a platform for western Indian destinations to coordinate their MICE strategies and strengthen their collective appeal to international event organisers.
