The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) held its 17th Annual General Meeting on December 14, 2023, at IEML, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR. During the AGM, the new Executive Committee was elected to lead the association for the term 2023-2025.
Highlights from the AGM:
During the AGM, IEIA President for the term 2021-23, Ms. Sonia Prashar, welcomed and addressed the Members highlighting the great success and positive momentum witnessed by the exhibitions industry in India over the past one year. She also emphasized that the industry players have exhibited exemplary commitment for the growth of the sector adding to the positive India story at all fronts. Adding further Ms. Prashar stated that the Association has left no stone unturned in supporting the Members through various industry focused initiatives launched during the year gone-by, making it an exceptionally successful year in terms of membership growth, initiatives, and finances.
Formal proceedings of the AGM were then initiated by Mr. Sooraj Dhawan, Honorary Secretary, IEIA for the term 2021-23 who presented a comprehensive overview of the activities conducted by IEIA including advocacy representations, networking meets, skill development, standards development, women leadership, and participation of IEIA leadership in various industry events that augmented IEIA’s engagement with industry stakeholders in different regions of the country and abroad.
Mr. Gaurav Juneja, Honorary Treasurer, IEIA presented the Financial Report of the Association for FY 2022- 23 highlighting the achievements of the association at the financial front stating that this was a year of unprecedented growth for IEIA with record revenues, profitability and membership growth. The association saw increased revenues from membership enrolments and sponsorships for IEIA events.
As part of the agenda of the AGM, the elections for the Executive Committee positions were then concluded. Results of the Elections were declared by Mr. Sandeep Gurwara from Services International being appointed the Member of the Elections Committee along with Mr. Gurvinder Singh from EEPC India. The new Executive Committee then met for electing the President and Vice President of IEIA in accordance to the Constitution of the Association. The EC Members unanimously elected Mr. Sooraj Dhawan, Founding Director, Falcon Exhibitions as President, and Mr. Ravinder Sethi, CMD, R.E. Rogers as Vice President of the Association. The EC Members also unanimously nominated Mr. Rakesh Kumar, DG, EPCH and Chairman, IEML for the fourteenth position in the Executive Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, considering his dedicated efforts and exemplary contribution in shaping the future of the Exhibitions Industry in India.
Newly elected President, Mr. Sooraj Dhawan, then addressed the Members present in the AGM expressing his gratitude for the trust of the fellow EC Members for leading the Association. He thanked the outgoing President Ms. Sonia Prashar who led the Association during the most challenging times and yet enabled remarkable achievements for the Association at all levels. He also thanked all Past Presidents for their immense contribution in enabling the strong standing of IEIA over the past 17 years. Adding further, Mr. Dhawan said that the future of our industry is promising and the stakeholders will have bountiful opportunities of growth over the times ahead. Sharing his vision about the future of the industry he stated, “The Indian Exhibition Industry is ready to take the centre stage in Global Exhibitions arena. The whole world is looking at India and it is an opportune moment for us to grow 2X in the next 3 years. Indian Exhibition Industry Association stands committed to India’s economic progress by creating ideal business networking platforms at our exhibitions. We will work together as a team and scale greater heights in developing the Indian exhibition industry.”
