ES. A new chapter in the history of Indian Exhibition Industry has begun with the commencement of events at IICC. As we are at beginning of 2024, what message would you like to share to the industry at large?
Phil Chung. My impression and prediction about India is very positive and aggressive. India will grow big in number of tradeshows, exhibitions and conferences held in India. India has to prepare big and well in advance considering of all those incoming international tradeshows, events and conventions. Now that we’ve opened our Yashobhoomi (IICC) venue in New Delhi, and a few other new ones in several other places in India, I trust the venue supply in general will further trigger the growth of our MICE industry of India.
ES. What are your comments on the need of sustainability in the event industry? Have you adopted any measures towards sustainability at your venue? If yes, then please highlight.
Phil Chung. Our venue is a certified renewable energy using and generating place for all events. We’re recycling and collecting water/rain, utilizing geo-thermal, solar energy. You will see natural sunshine coming through our exhibition halls and foyer areas. Additionally, we’re using lots of energy efficient LED-screens, our convention centre has the region’s largest LED facade that is about 8,000sqm!
ES. With the successful completion and global showcase of Phase 1 popularly known as Yashobhoomi, what are the envisioned prospects, timelines and strategies for Phase 2?
Phil Chung. Now, we have Yashobhoomi (IICC) exhibition centre(2 halls of 60,000sqm) together with a 6 story convention centre building(15 mid and large scale convention halls and meeting rooms of about 60,000sqm in total), which belongs to Phase I development of the venue. And regarding the 2nd phase development of the venue that is adding additional 180,000sqm of exhibition halls(exhibition hall 3,4 and 5), the starting date has not been confirmed but it is expected that within a short period of time we may be able to announce together with the Government of India as there are numerous requests from global organizers wishing to host large-scale tradeshows at our venue.
ES. As a unique multipurpose convention and exhibition center how does IICC Yashobhoomi offer a different experience for organizers and attendees?
Phil Chung. Not only we have the world-class tradeshow halls and convention centre, we also have IICC metro station directly connected to our exhibition hall 1 foyer, from which all visitors of our events can reach all event halls and convention centre without any interference. It takes only 1 stop from IGI international airport as well as from aerocity that is a impeccable deluxe hotel complex(now about 5,000 guest rooms, various eateries are available)
Organizers hosting shows and conferences are fastly growing in numbers because we understand their efforts and energy they put in preparing and organizing the events as an experienced venue operator with lots of organizing experiences. So, many organizers have found us very organizer-friendly and efficient and almost all of them are re-booking our venue for the years to come with increased space demand.
Our catering partner, Food-link, is also a well known international Indian catering company who is also operating in many other countries including Dubai and others. Their food quality and taste have been popular among numerous Bollywood stars, organizers, and corporate clients from in and out of India. Foodlink is also adding another deep and enjoyable tastes of Yashobhoomi venue experiences while at the venue.
ES. With the growing importance of digitization and technology, how has IICC adopted to this significant need of the hour?
Phil Chung. Apart from our largest LED Media facade (8,000sqm) on our convention centre, our venue is being run on the latest technologies like integrated control systems for the entire meeting rooms and LED screens, high-tech CCTV control, visitor recognition system, integrated satellite broadcasting system to media, sensor-based visitor number counting system, AR and interactive media walls in convention centre and many more. Literally, all convention/conference rooms as well as tradeshow halls are well equipped with high tech systems of all kinds, which makes Yashobhoomi(IICC) a high-spec world-class venue.
ES. In your vision how does 2024 look like, businesswise? What are some major shows lined up at IICC?
Phil Chung. 2024 will be greater, in this year we will stage numerous large scale tradeshows and conventions all year round. There will also be lots of mega scale events like UB40 concert, international stand-up comedy shows, K Pop music final concert and many more.
We will stage the nation’s largest plastic industry tradeshow, largest textile industry show, largest international food industry shows including SIAL India, largest tourism/MICE industry show, and even international fintech/banking and investing shows and conferences just to say a few.
