IESA: Catalyst for growth
Sanjay Soni, Founder Member, Head Media Cell, IESA, feels that MICE can be an economic driver for the country
What is the USP of Indian Exhibitions, Conferences and Events Services Association?
Indian Exhibitions, Conferences and Events Services Association (IESA) is an association of a group of service providers who are involved in delivering world-class services to the exhibitions, retails, live events, conferences, seminars. It is an association of the professionals who are involved from conceptualisation to execution of various aspects of exhibitions, conferences and events. Being an association, the IESA’s USP is envisioned as below:
• Upliftment of Exhibitions, Convention and Event Industry: The main objective is working for the industry to identify new growth opportunities and give information on new technologies and trends worldwide.
• Networking: In the exhibition, events and conferences services industry, networking plays a vital role to create a business environment conducive to wealth creation for all members which will spur the industry to greater heights.
• Technical Expertise: Arranging Technical Training Program, Seminars, Open Discussion Summits and spread awareness.
• Impartiality: As an association of more than 80 members, it has held to its principles of neutrality.
• Standards and Code of Practice: IESA is in the process of drafting a model code of conduct, contracting and standards operating parameters for industry safety at par with global standards.
• Affiliations: Building business relationship with other associations, government ministries and also international companies.
Who can be a member of IESA? What are the advantages of being an IESA member?
An individual, partnership firm, private limited company, public limited company, Hindu undivided family, association of persons can become a member of IESA only if they are in the business of providing any kind of services to
exhibitions, conferences, events, social events of national and international level. Members have an opportunity of business networking, exchange views and information about the trade, benefits of participating at the India Expo Shop, seminars, workshops, B2B meetings, training programmes arranged by IESA. Members data with complete details will appear on the IESA website, directory, newsletter and online social networking
What is the biggest advantage offered by the design and services sector, as IESA organised the first India Expo Shop summit?
IESA’s first India Expo Shop Summit was highly successful event for our industry colleagues and we invited Indian and international speakers also to share their views on the design and services sector. Co-located with the GES the initiative of Ministry of Industries through SEPC, the Expo Summit established its formidable presence in the field of services.
What other MICE activities has IESA been promoting?
India Expo Shop 2016 was our first edition of the association’s own MICE activity which comprised 3,000 sqmt of net exhibition space, one day of packed seminar addressing various topics. Apart from these the association members have been involved in creating projects like, 'Make in India', 'Elecrama', 'PlastIndia', 'Auto Expo' and national and international conferences.
What are the key challenges and key drivers for MICE in the current scenario?
Key driver: The demand from various sectors contribute to creation of MICE activities due to its requirement for new technologies, and new markets to implement technologies.
Key challenge: The key challenge is lack of industry standards, formal training to make this a choice of career, thus, leading to learning-on-the-job experience. MICE has been called an ‘economic activity’. Do you think it should be given an industry status? Can IESA push this forward with the government? Yes we are following very closely on this. Our industry provides huge employment opportunity at various levels. We are commissioning an economic impact study of this industry through a credible agency.
The MICE activities have an exponential effect on various categories of the country’s economy at various levels which includes industries, agriculture, pharma, education, aeronautics
MICE needs to be differentiated from the ‘tourism’ industry in the first place. The MICE activities have an exponential effect of the country’s economy at various levels such as industries, agriculture, pharma, education, aeronautics. Tourism is only a byproduct of this industry. The sections of society which get affected by the MICE activity are much larger than tourism. Thus this myth that MICE is a tourism related activity has to be dispelled at all levels in the government.
Is there a need for some new policies?
Yes we need a fresh new perspective that is needed for this economic activity. For example, a MICE activity in the field of milk production as an ‘International Dairy Congress’, changes the entire milk producing canvas of the country thus bringing self-sufficiency in the Dairy Industry. A ‘Make in India’ initiative by the Prime Minister uplifts the mood of the manufacturing sector. This is not ‘tourism’. It has to be considered an activity which contributes to creating a ‘new urban fabric’, thus a birthplace of a new city.
What are your future plans?
We have ushered in our second year. We are planning to organise our second India Expo Shop 2017 exhibition at Mumbai in April 2017. We are organising a Technical Training Programme in different cities on aspects like stand construction, health and safety standards, new technologies, new products.