A unique M!CE event
Rishiraj Singh Anand, Joint Managing Director, Jagsons Travels and GPS, shares insights on how to make a hybrid event during COVID-times successful
As they say, nothing comes easy, you have to think out of the box and make things work for yourself, such has been Rishiraj Singh Anand’s belief and hard work which showcased there is plenty of opportunity to do business in the M!CE industry despite the pandemic. Sharing the idea and success story of the activity, which also indicates early signs of revival for business, Singh explains, “The corporate travel movement, has taken a big hit, but since September, we have kind of seen a growth in movement. People are not traveling for business, taking flights or spending on hotels, so we had to come up with unique ideas using the technology and introduce the hybrid model of events to to do business, virtually or through different other means. We recently hosted one of our largest corporate events that, almost 1,000 delegates from across India participated where delegates were located in remote places as well, starting from the metros on the way up to tier-II, III and IV as well. We had delegates located at the branch offices of the corporate at these remote locations. We did conduct a full day corporate event with lot of activities for them.”
Not only just activities, the team also organised meals for delegates in a unique way. “Apart from all this, we also arranged three time meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as well as the evening high tea to be delivered in each of the branches across India. For this, we did a unique tie-up with Zomato to source food for us from nationalised and international food chains like Marriot, where ever it was possible. In remote locations, we went in for popular local options. At the end, the client was really happy with our efforts and execution since they never thought that something like this can be done,” he shared.
With this unique initiative, Singh feels they have set the tone for restarting business in the corporate sector. “With growing technology, I feel hybrid events are going to be the future. We are working on more technologically advanced, events and giving these ideas to the clients as well, so that we can do more of such events,” he said.
“Corporate events can still take place, they need not be with physical presence at the venue. It can be done as a hybrid event as well. We are working on more technologically advanced events and giving these suggestions and ideas to the clients as well, so that we can do more of such events. Also in comparison to a larger event, if you look at the logistics and the finance part, these events work out much more economical than physical events for the clients and for the corporate as well. Clients with a smaller budget can opt for these hybrid events. This is going to be the future. I don't say that the onsite events won't happen, that industry will stay as it is because the human touch is always required, but this is going to be the new category of events in the corporate world,” Singh concluded.
These events work out much more economical than physical events for the clients & for the corporate as well
Luxury is very innate to the Indian community. It resonates with our culture, our heritage and even when we take a holiday, because we know how to appreciate and enjoy luxury. We as agents need to decide whether we talk about experiences or we talk about hotels or we talk about a combination of both. But, do not short-change the Indian clientele; instead, marry the right product to the right client.
sanJeet
managing director ddP Publications
India is a unique market. Just because we speak English does not mean that we do business the English way. Many countries live within India; we have so many different cultures and it changes every 200 kms. Who is going to guide the suppliers? When it comes to M!CE, this becomes important especially for dealer conferences. Also, Indians are late starters and they don't book holidays like other markets do.
mahendra vakharia
managing director Pathfinders holidays
If you want to deal with the Indian market, you need to have a lot of patience and be aware of the nuances of our culture and our way of life. One segment which is very important and is fast catching up is luxury. The outbound traveller from India is also spending a huge amount of money – especially on shopping. Sometimes, shopping takes over the total budget of the trip.
loveleen multani Arun
founder & director Panache World
There are a lot of myths surrounding this market. But, it is a very rewarding market once you get through this love-hate courtship that happens in the beginning. Get over this initial hurdle. India has a lot of people, and the good part is that a lot of them still book through travel agents. Approach the market slowly and steadily. Do your research and find a good partner in India.
tanuja Pandey
founder director miCe online (mol)
India is the second largest M!CE source market from Asia. The biggest challenge for the hotels and the suppliers who are catering to the Indian market is how to identify the right partner. We all talk about big groups from India, but that's not going to happen for the next one-and-a-half years. Also, it is going to be a mix of online and offline.