Leading the Next Generation of Exhibition Organisers: Deepak Bohra on Building Fan Expo
In this exclusive conversation with TradeFairTimes, Deepak Bohra, Director of Vaarta Trade Fairs Pvt. Ltd., shares his entrepreneurial journey and the vision behind creating India's first dedicated exhibition for the fan industry. He discusses the evolution of Fan Expo, the industry's response to the unique concept, key milestones achieved over the years, and his plans to further strengthen specialized trade fair platforms in India.
The previous edition of Fan Expo in Delhi delivered outstanding metrics, welcoming 10,300 targeted pan-India visitors over three days—specifically bringing together architects, interior designers, real estate professionals, and major retail networks.
TFT: Please introduce yourself and take us through the journey of Vaarta Trade Fairs?
Deepak Bohra: I am Deepak Bohra, Director at Vaarta Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd. We are a dynamic team of young exhibition professionals dedicated to enabling niche markets to connect, collaborate, and scale their businesses. Our journey at Vaarta has been incredibly rewarding; we consistently strive to champion high-potential industries that lack a dedicated platform to grow and thrive. As we proudly celebrate our 5-year anniversary this year, we remain committed to bridging market gaps and driving industrial growth through world-class B2B platforms.
TFT: Vaarta Trade Fairs Pvt. Ltd. is widely known for organizing the unique Fan Expo in India. How did this concept evolve?
Deepak Bohra: Yes, we are fortunately known for diving into unique, niche sectors and bringing closely associated industries together to create the best possible business synergies. This wouldn’t be possible without our exceptional research team. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to uncover hidden market potentials, and properties like FAN Expo are a direct result of their vision and hard work. The credit clearly goes to our research buddies.
TFT: While launching Fan Expo, how you managed to bring all the industry experts on one stage? What were the difficulties you faced and how you addressed them?
Deepak Bohra: When we conceptualized Fan Expo, the primary challenge was realigning the market’s perception of the industry. The fan segment has traditionally been viewed through a conventional appliance lens, despite being a core revenue driver and high-volume anchor for major consumer electronics portfolios.
Our main task was navigating a highly fragmented supply chain during a period of intense technological evolution—specifically, the industry-wide transition from legacy induction technology to high-efficiency, smart electronics.
We addressed this by engaging in deep dialogue with sector leaders, presenting data-backed insights on market growth, and demonstrating how a dedicated platform would accelerate this technical transition. By focusing on collective industry advancement rather than individual competition, we successfully established the trust required to unify competing giants on a single platform.
TFT: How was the visitor footfall and and what was the response from exhibitors at the previous edition of Fan Expo?
Deepak Bohra: The previous edition of Fan Expo in Delhi delivered outstanding metrics, welcoming 10,300 targeted pan-India visitors over three days—specifically bringing together architects, interior designers, real estate professionals, and major retail networks. The response from our approximately 150 exhibitors was overwhelmingly positive, driven by high-value B2B engagement and strong commercial traction that firmly established the expo as a premier sourcing destination.
TFT: What are some of the most exciting technologies, innovations, and companies that visitors can expect to see at the August edition?
Deepak Bohra: Visitors at our August edition will see a sector completely transformed by innovation. First, there’s a major technical push toward sustainability with highly efficient BLDC technology and the latest star-rated energy-efficient models. We’ll also see advanced Smart Fans that integrate seamlessly into modern home automation systems.
Beyond the electronics, the aesthetic shift is incredible. The floor will feature stunning designer and luxury fans tailored specifically for modern interior architecture. We are also heavily focusing on what we see as the next big growth segments—such as sleek bladeless fans and versatile personal fans that are quickly capturing consumer interest. It’s going to be the ultimate showcase of where air-comfort engineering is heading next and taking the FAN beyond just an appliance.
TFT: In establishing Fan Expo as one of the premier platforms for the fan industry, which associations, industry leaders, and stakeholders played a key role in supporting and encouraging this initiative?
Deeapk Bohra: An exhibition of this scale succeeds entirely on the trust of its stakeholders, and we are deeply thankful that the whole industry accepted Fan Expo with open arms. We received overwhelming support right from the top; industry giants like Havells believed in the concept immediately, bringing a massive presence to the show floor.
Beyond individual brands, the structural support from institutional bodies was critical. We had more than 25 architects’ associations, 6 major trade associations, and multiple real estate organizations endorsing and supporting the event. When you pair that institutional backing with the active participation of tier-one leaders like Crompton, Orient, Signify, Polar, Sujata, Indo, RR Kabel, and Surya, it creates an unmatched synergy. The list of partners is incredibly extensive, and every single one played a vital role.
TFT: Are there any conferences, knowledge sessions, or workshops planned alongside the exhibition?
Deepak Bohra: Yes, the exhibition features an extensive lineup of parallel high-value events. We are hosting the FAN India Summit, an exclusive CEO Roundtable, and the India Lighting Summit.
A key highlight is the co-location of the Smart Lighting Expo, which maximizes market cross-over and business synergy. Additionally, targeted commercial networking is built directly into the event flow through the Global FAN Connect — Buyer-Seller Meet and our exclusive Networking Evening.
TFT: Going ahead can we see some new exhibition IPs by Vaarta Trade Fairs?
Deepak Bohra: Yes, absolutely. We have a robust pipeline of forward-looking concepts designed to connect high-potential, specialized industries. Our most immediate major launch is the India Electric Motor Expo, debuting this October in Pune with the powerful backing of industry titans like Godrej, Mahindra, AMPEL, Pitti, and Rotomag. Looking even further down the line, we are already structuring our portfolio expansion for 2027, where we will be introducing a few more exciting niche IPs to the market.
TFT: Lastly, any message you want to give to our readers?
Deepak Bohra: We extend a very warm invitation to all your readers to join us at the event. The industry is changing rapidly, and this is the perfect destination to explore new-age fan technologies, energy-efficient innovations, and premium designs. Whether you want to witness the latest trends or forge strategic partnerships, your presence will add immense value. We look forward to seeing you there!
