Connecting Stakeholders, Creating Opportunities: The Story Behind INDIA FOR MICE 2026

Our objective is to position India as a globally competitive MICE destination while fostering industry collaboration and innovation. Through INDIA FOR MICE 2026, we aim to facilitate networking between domestic and international stakeholders, encourage discussions on infrastructure and policy, promote India’s emerging exhibition destinations, and strengthen the country’s ability to win global MICE event bids.

TFT: INDIA FOR MICE 2026 is positioned as a national platform for the MICE ecosystem. What inspired HITEX to launch this initiative, and what gap does it aim to fill in India’s exhibition and events industry?                      

Mr. Srikanth: INDIA FOR MICE 2026 was envisioned as a dedicated platform to bring together the entire MICE ecosystem and create meaningful conversations around the future of India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions industry. While India has rapidly emerged as a strong destination for business events, there has been a growing need for a focused industry platform that connects stakeholders across exhibitions, tourism, hospitality, convention infrastructure, policy, and global associations. Through this initiative, HITEX aims to bridge that gap by creating a collaborative ecosystem where India’s MICE industry can engage with global opportunities, exchange ideas, and drive long-term growth.

TFT: What are the primary objectives you hope to achieve through INDIA FOR MICE 2026?

Mr. Srikanth: Our objective is to position India as a globally competitive MICE destination while fostering industry collaboration and innovation. Through INDIA FOR MICE 2026, we aim to facilitate networking between domestic and international stakeholders, encourage discussions on infrastructure and policy, promote India’s emerging exhibition destinations, and strengthen the country’s ability to win global MICE event bids. We also want to provide professionals and businesses with access to industry insights, partnerships, and growth opportunities.

TFT: Can you share details about the scale of the exhibition in terms of exhibitors, participating organisations, or international representation?

Mr. Srikanth: INDIA FOR MICE 2026 is being planned as a large-scale industry conclave with participation from leading convention centres, exhibition organizers, tourism boards, hospitality brands, event service providers, associations, and policymakers. The platform is also expected to witness strong international representation through global industry bodies and experts. Organizations such as UFI, ICCA, IEIA, HCVB, and several prominent MICE stakeholders are associated with the initiative, reinforcing its global relevance and industry significance.

TFT: What trends do you believe will dominate conversations at INDIA FOR MICE 2026?

Mr. Srikanth: Some of the key trends expected to dominate conversations include global MICE opportunities for India, convention infrastructure development, policy and connectivity, sustainable event practices, destination branding, technology integration, and the growing importance of international association meetings. There will also be strong focus on how India can align itself with global standards in event services and enhance its competitiveness in the international MICE market.

TFT: Conferences are a major component of INDIA FOR MICE. Could you tell us about the themes and topics that will be covered this year?

Mr. Srikanth: The conference sessions will revolve around themes such as India’s global MICE opportunity, association meetings and international event opportunities, convention infrastructure and connectivity, India’s emerging exhibition destinations, strategies for winning global MICE event bids, and building global standards in event services. The agenda has been curated to ensure practical industry insights, policy discussions, and future-focused conversations relevant to all MICE stakeholders.

TFT: Who are some of the distinguished speakers, industry leaders, or policymakers invited to the conference?

Mr. Srikanth: The conclave features an impressive lineup of industry leaders, policymakers, and global experts, including:

• Shri Jupally Krishna Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of Telangana
• Shri Ajay Jain IAS, Special Chief Secretary to Government, Tourism C Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh
• Suman Billa IAS, Additional Secretary C Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
• Adeline Vancauwelaert, Chief Operating Officer, UFI
• Anju Gomes, Senior Regional Director – Middle East, ICCA
• Sooraj Dhawan, President, IEIA
• Gary Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau (HCVB)
• Thomas Joseph, Vice President – Business Development, Jio World Convention Centre
• Rubin Cherian, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre C Hyderabad International Convention Centre
• Ubaid Ahmad, Sr. Director C Head Marketing, Bangalore International Exhibition Centre
• Manuj Ralhan, General Manager, Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Jaipur Exhibition C Convention Centre
• Uday Singh Bayas, President, IPEMA – Poultry India
• Senior leaders from convention centres, hospitality groups, tourism boards, and international exhibition organizations

We are also awaiting confirmations from several more distinguished speakers, policymakers, and international industry experts who will further strengthen the conference agenda and global industry representation.

TFT: How can one book the passes for the event? And what are the various benefits they are getting in it?

Mr. Srikanth: Delegates can register for the event through the official INDIA FOR MICE registration platform and QR code shared across promotional channels. The delegate pass

provides access to conference sessions, exhibition areas, networking opportunities, industry insights from leading experts, and access to the post-conference sundowner. The platform has been designed to maximize business interactions, knowledge sharing, and meaningful industry connections for attendees.

TFT: What is your long-term vision for INDIA FOR MICE, and where do you see the platform in the next few years?

Mr. Srikanth: Our long-term vision is to establish INDIA FOR MICE as one of Asia’s most influential platforms for the MICE and exhibition industry. We see it evolving into a globally recognized annual industry gathering that attracts international participation, drives innovation, supports policy discussions, and contributes significantly to India’s MICE economy. We believe the platform can play a major role in shaping India’s future as a preferred destination for global conferences, exhibitions, and business events.

TFT: What message would you like to give to professionals, organisations, and stakeholders considering attending INDIA FOR MICE this year?

Mr. Srikanth: INDIA FOR MICE 2026 is an opportunity for the industry to come together, collaborate, and collectively shape the future of India’s MICE ecosystem. We invite professionals, organizations, associations, tourism stakeholders, and event service providers to participate in this important industry platform, explore new partnerships, gain valuable insights, and be part of conversations that will define the next phase of growth for the Indian MICE industry.