Indian exhibitions industry revenue to double in 3 years, says IEIA chief 

The Indian exhibitions industry is on the brink of unprecedented growth, with revenues projected to double within three years said Sooraj Dhawan, President, Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA). “To seize this opportunity, our supply chain must scale with speed and innovation,” he said while speaking at India Expo Shop 2025 organised by the Indian Exhibitions, Conferences & Events Services Association (IESA). 

He said 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, the 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,” Mr. Dhawan said.

On this front, 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.”

“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,” said Sonia Prashar, Managing Director & Chairperson of the Board, NürnbergMesse India.

“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 channelling CSR funds to these initiatives,” she said. 

According to Punit Jhaveri, Director, LUCKY-TECH Membranes Pvt. Ltd. with over 60% of organizers now focusing on eco-friendly infrastructure, the lightweight, reusable fabrics, combined with leak-proof welding and automated cutting technologies are making events both impactful and sustainable.

Jatinder Kapur, President, IESA, said, “India Expo Shop 2025 demonstrates the scale and ambition of India’s MICE sector, a market poised to cross $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.”