The Indian Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) industry is at a pivotal point, with revenues projected to double and a goal to reach $100 billion by 2030. Industry leaders emphasized that this immense growth must be built on five key pillars: adopting technology, developing sustainable infrastructure, expanding venues beyond major cities, upskilling the workforce, and making sustainability a non-negotiable priority.
Initiatives like ‘India Expo Shop 2025’ and ‘EventFull Bharat’ are seen as crucial platforms for fostering collaboration, innovation, and skill development, ensuring a lasting and responsible legacy for the industry.
The 5th edition of India Expo Shop 2025, organised by the Indian Exhibitions, Conferences & Events Services Association (IESA), which was held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka on August 12-13, brought together the country’s top event service providers, policymakers, and global industry leaders.
The two-day event hosted over 100 exhibitors, over 300 decision-makers, and more than 2,000 professionals, all converging to explore innovation, sustainability, and next-gen opportunities in the MICE sector.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Sooraj Dhawan, President, Indian Exhibition Industry Association, said, “The Indian exhibitions industry is on the brink of unprecedented growth, with revenues projected to double within three years. To seize this opportunity, our supply chain must scale with speed and innovation. India Expo Shop 2025 stands out as the definitive platform to connect with top suppliers, discover breakthrough solutions, and shape the future of our industry.”
“The global MICE industry, valued at $870 billion, is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, and with India holding less than 5% of this market, our growth potential is immense. But this growth must be anchored in five essentials: adopting technology to work ten times faster without losing human creativity, building sustainable and innovative infrastructure, developing venues beyond metros, upskilling our workforce to global efficiency levels, and embracing sustainability as a non-negotiable”, added Mr. Dhawan.
“Today’s global investors evaluate destinations not just for infrastructure, but for sustainability credentials, right down to the kilograms of CO₂ generated per event. India has immense potential to lead in this space, and we see Yashobhoomi as a catalyst for that change. At Kinexin IICC, our commitment is to implement ESG policies that align with global KPIs, making India an even more compelling choice for international events,” said Mr. Phil Chung, CEO/CMO, Kinexin IICC (YashoBhoomi) Operating Company.
Joining virtually Mr. Jatinder Kapur, President, IESA, stated, “India Expo Shop 2025 demonstrates the scale and ambition of India’s MICE sector, a market poised to cross USD 100 billion by 2030. With over 35,000 corporate events taking place each year, this year’s edition is especially significant as it brings the industry together at a time of unprecedented growth and opportunity. Initiatives like EventFull Bharat are essential to unlocking new opportunities, nurturing talent, and driving global competitiveness.”
Mr. Ashish Jain, Founder, Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) said, “Sustainability at exhibitions is not just about today, it’s about the world we pass on to the next generation. By integrating waste management, carbon reduction, and sustainable materials into our event practices, we can create a lasting environmental legacy. IPCA is committed to leading this change in collaboration with our industry partners.”
“Skilling should be close to everyone’s heart, not just a select few. While IESA and IEIA have been doing commendable work in this space, the future lies in setting industry-wide standards, formulating robust policies, ensuring occupational health and safety, adopting sustainable materials, and upholding strong work ethics. To truly transform, we must create Centers of Excellence across regions, starting small but building steadily. Now that our businesses are on a profitable path, we have both the responsibility and opportunity to give back, perhaps by channeling CSR funds to these initiatives. I personally pledge, and invite others to join me, in contributing to the creation of these centers, our collective legacy to the exhibition industry we serve, love, and want to see thrive,” said Ms. Sonia Prashar, Managing Director & Chairperson of the Board, NürnbergMesse India.
A key highlight was the signing of an MoU between IESA and the Media & Entertainment Skill Council, aimed at skilling and upskilling talent in India’s events industry. The ceremony was attended by eminent leaders from across the sector.
EventFull Bharat 1.0 opened with a thought-provoking discussion on the vital role of upskilling in empowering a Gen-Z-driven workforce. The programme featured innovative product showcases and event solutions, alongside a leadership session on the strategic value of public relations in the events industry. It also spotlighted immersive technologies and experiential concepts redefining the future of events and included an engaging segment on harnessing AI tools to elevate event planning and execution.