Better infrastructure and connectivity urged for thriving exhibition sector

Despite the slowdown, logistics services related to exhibitions and events across the world are gaining reasonable momentum. Ravinder Sethi, MD, RE Rogers India, said that the recession also impacted the exhibition industry. However, the effect was not as

s ethi maintained that there are two prominent developments (or rather awareness), which have taken place in this sector over the last few years. At the micro-level; health, safety and sustainability have taken prominence across the world.

“At the macro-level, India is now on top of the list as a destination point for the global exhibition world. Innovation, making full use of modern technology, electronic commerce and medical service are the trends now. However, though the market is conducive for business, the lack of suitable infrastructure in major cities proves to be a deterrent,” Sethi said.

According to Sethi, infrastructure in India is a big problem and this matter is being ignored by the government and all big players involved in exhibitions. Associations have failed to draw attention in this regard. Handling of consignments out of India remains another big challenge since every country has its own rules and regulations and different sets of requirements for various product shows. Hence, it is imperative to have a dedicated team of experienced staff.

Core Functions

The core strengths of RE Rogers are exhibition logistics, defence and special projects, sports events, musical concerts and private demonstrations. “We have an experienced team, skilled manpower, expert technical operators, own transport dedicated to meet our own requirements and our own warehouse. We are the only logistic company exclusively engaged in exhibition clearance, transportation and onsite handling services and all facilities are in-house,” Sethi asserted.

RE Rogers have been emphasising the issue of safety and health hazard. The company is acquiring the relevant ISO-14001 accreditation. “We, being ISO accredited, do hold training programmes at different levels and on regular basis. We also keep on replacing our old equipment with new ones to strengthen our operations. Apart from regular services, we do extend various valueadded services like liaison with different government agencies for procurement of permits, etc,” he underlined.

Recommendations

“The Indian exhibition industry is mature and more than 30 years old, but it is not recognised by the government as an industry. Apart from poor infrastructure, we lack standardising our clearance practices and local taxes. That is the reason why the industry still looks nascent,” Sethi observed.

He urged that facilitators and policymakers that there is a need to involve the government to declare exhibition as an industry. There should be adequate support from government to create infrastructure, followed by better connectivity with airport, ports, hotels for the convenience of participants in exhibitions/events.