EEA 2026 Set to Become the Biggest Celebration of India’s Exhibition & MICE Industry

The 10th Anniversary Edition of the Exhibition Excellence Awards & Summit (EEA 2026) is all set to emerge as the largest and most influential gathering of the exhibition, convention and business events industry in India. Scheduled to take place on 12 June 2026 at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre, Mumbai, EEA 2026 is expected to bring together over 1200 senior delegates, exhibition organisers, venue leaders, policymakers, government representatives, international stakeholders, event service providers and MICE professionals from India and across the globe.

Over the last decade, the Exhibition Excellence Awards have evolved into one of Asia’s most respected recognition and networking platforms for the exhibition and business events ecosystem. What began as an industry awards initiative has today transformed into a comprehensive leadership summit, live competition platform, knowledge forum and industry celebration.

This year’s edition has already created significant momentum across the industry with more than 600 nominations received across multiple award categories, making it the most competitive and largest participation year in the history of EEA.

Unprecedented Government & Institutional Support

EEA 2026 is witnessing unprecedented support from leading Government bodies and industry institutions, reaffirming the growing importance of exhibitions and business events in India’s economic and trade ecosystem.

Key supporting bodies and institutional supporters include:

• Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
• Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
• Maharashtra Tourism
• NSIC (National Small Industries Corporation)
• MSSIDC (Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation)

The event is also supported by several prominent national and international industry associations including UFI, ICCA, IEIA, IFES, IPEMA, AFECA, IESA and others.

International advisory support for the event is being extended by jwc GmbH, Germany.

Global Industry Leaders to Attend EEA 2026

The Decennial Edition of EEA will feature participation from some of the most prominent international leaders from the global exhibition and convention industry.

International stalwarts expected at EEA 2026 include:

• Jochen Witt – President & CEO, jwc GmbH (Germany)
• Naji El Haddad – Regional Director, Middle East & Africa, UFI
• Jason Stead – President, GES
• Jörg Zeissig – President, IFES
• Anju Gomes – Regional Director, ME & India, ICCA
• Jeroen Van Hooff – President & CEO, Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs / VNU Group
• Marco Carniello – Chief Business Officer, Italian Exhibition Group S.P.A.
• Sebastian Witt – Managing Director, jwc GmbH
• Donna Hyland – General Manager, Middle East, EMEA Exhibitions, GES
• Fadwa AlBawardi – Founder & CEO, Fadwa AlBawardi Consulting

The presence of such globally respected leaders reflects the increasing importance of India in the international exhibitions and MICE landscape.

A Comprehensive Industry Gathering Beyond Awards

EEA 2026 has been curated not merely as an awards platform, but as a complete industry convergence featuring knowledge, networking, leadership dialogue, live competitions, business opportunities and celebration.

The event will feature:

• Leadership Summit & Conference Sessions
• International Keynote Sessions
• Panel Discussions
• Leadership Roundtables
• India Event Expo 2026
• Podcast & Media Interaction Zones
• Live Competitions
• Industry Networking
• Awards Gala Ceremony
• Entertainment & Cocktail Evening

More than 135 exhibition booths are expected at the India Event Expo 2026, featuring event infrastructure companies, AV providers, venue operators, fabrication agencies, hospitality brands, event technology firms and service providers.

Key Leadership Sessions During the Day

The conference programme at EEA 2026 will focus on the future growth of the Indian exhibition industry and global business event ecosystem.

The day will commence with opening remarks by Sooraj Dhawan, President, IEIA, on “The Next Decade for Indian Exhibition Industry.”

This will be followed by a Special Global Keynote Address by Jochen Witt, President & CEO, jwc GmbH (Germany), on: “Global Exhibition Industry Outlook in Today’s Volatile World”.

One of the key highlights of the summit will be the Leadership Roundtable on: “Role of the Exhibition Industry in India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 Roadmap”, the closed-door roundtable will bring together government representatives, venue operators, exhibition leaders and global stakeholders to discuss long-term strategies for India’s exhibition and convention growth roadmap.

Other important panel discussions during the day include:

• “Building Exhibition Powerhouses: Expansion, Consolidation & Capital Strategies”
• “Navigating International Sentiments”
• “India @2X: Scaling the Exhibition Industry for the Next Five Years”

EEA Live Competitions to Showcase Real Industry Excellence

One of the biggest highlights of EEA 2026 will be the Live Competitions taking place throughout the day in Hall C.

Unlike traditional awards based only on nominations, the EEA Live Competitions involve shortlisted companies presenting live before an independent jury panel comprising respected corporate leaders, industry experts and senior professionals.

Each participating company will make structured presentations within defined time protocols and will be evaluated on detailed scoring parameters including innovation, industry impact, execution quality, operational excellence and future potential.

The Live Competitions will cover categories across:

• Exhibition Organisers
• Event Venues & MICE Hotels
• Event Services & Technology

This unique format has become one of the defining elements of EEA and continues to strengthen the credibility and transparency of the awards platform.

Podcast Studios, Networking Zones & Business Meetings

EEA 2026 will also feature dedicated podcast studios and networking zones where industry leaders, global delegates and exhibitors will participate in interviews, leadership conversations and media interactions throughout the day.

The platform is expected to facilitate extensive networking and business discussions amongst organisers, venue operators, service providers and industry stakeholders.

Grand Gala Awards Ceremony in the Evening

The celebrations will culminate with the EEA 2026 Gala Awards Ceremony beginning at 5:25 PM in Hall C.

The evening gala will feature:

• International Honours
• Legacy Recognitions
• Editorial Honours
• Industry Awards
• Live Competition Winners
• Special Performances

The ceremony will be followed by an entertainment evening, cocktail dinner and networking interactions amongst delegates and industry leaders.

Registrations Open

Industry professionals, exhibitors, organisers, venue representatives and stakeholders interested in attending EEA 2026 may register through the official delegate registration link:

https://attendee-eeasummit.introbot.ai/

Register Now to Attend

EEA 2026 – FULL PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

12 June 2026 | CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre, Mumbai

09:30 AM Onwards

Registration Begins

HALL A – CONFERENCE & DAY PROGRAMME

10:15 AM – 10:20 AM

Opening Remarks

“The Next Decade for Indian Exhibition Industry” – By Sooraj Dhawan, President, IEIA

10:20 AM – 10:45 AM

Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks

10:50 AM – 11:15 AM

Special Global Keynote Address by Jochen Witt – President & CEO, jwc GmbH (Germany)

Topic: “Global Exhibition Industry Outlook in Today’s Volatile World”

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM

Panel Discussion 1 – “Building Exhibition Powerhouses: Expansion, Consolidation & Capital Strategies”

12:00 PM – 01:00 PM

Leadership Roundtable – “Role of the Exhibition Industry in India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 Roadmap”

12:10 PM – 12:50 PM

Partner Felicitation Ceremony

01:00 PM – 02:00 PM

Networking Luncheon

02:00 PM – 02:25 PM

Special Editor’s Awards Segment

02:30 PM – 03:15 PM

Panel Discussion 2 – “Navigating International Sentiments”

03:20 PM – 03:45 PM

Special Editor’s Awards Segment

03:50 PM – 04:30 PM

Panel Discussion 3 – “India @2X: Scaling the Exhibition Industry for the Next Five Years”

04:30 PM – 05:20 PM

High Tea & Networking Break

HALL C – LIVE COMPETITIONS

10:30 AM – 04:30 PM

Live Competitions Across Multiple Industry Categories

Exhibition Organisers Segment: 10:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Venues & Services Segment: 02:00 PM – 04:30 PM

INDIA EVENT EXPO 2026

Throughout the Day | 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM

PODCAST & NETWORKING ZONES

Throughout the Day

EVENING GALA CEREMONY – HALL C

05:25 PM – 06:00 PM

Grand Opening Ceremony & Special Performance

06:00 PM – 08:00 PM

Exhibition Excellence Awards Gala Ceremony

08:00 PM Onwards

Entertainment, Cocktail Dinner & Networking Evening

EEA 2026 : Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring Leadership. Shaping the Future.