Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, along with Mr Jawed Asraf, Chairman, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), inaugurated the Two-day 15th Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) Open Seminar & Exhibition Services Expo 2026 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.
Mr Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, has stated that India aims to double the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP from the current 5% to 10% over the next decade. This growth is projected to be driven by massive infrastructure development, such as doubling the number of airports to 150 since 2014, and high domestic travel volume.
“The target of 10% is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to boost tourism’s economic impact, with a strong focus on enhancing rail/road infrastructure and expanding capacity to accommodate growing demand. While domestic tourism has crossed 1.5 billion visits, Billa stressed shifting from just measuring footfall to focusing on high-value travel and increasing revenue“, said Mr Billa.
Mr Billa also noted that tourism remains an “under-leveraged engine” and needs three times its current room capacity to meet projected demand.
Mr Jawed Ashraf, Chairman, Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITP), in his keynote speech said, “India’s exhibition industry is entering a transformational phase. Trade fairs are no longer only promotional platforms — they are becoming engines for economic growth, exports, innovation, and international collaboration. India has immense potential due to its manufacturing expansion, startup ecosystem, and growing domestic market. Our vision is to position India as a major global trade and exhibition hub. We want Indian businesses, especially MSMEs, startups, and emerging sectors, to gain international visibility through world-class exhibitions and buyer-seller platforms. ITPO is working to strengthen India’s participation in international exhibitions while also attracting global events and investments into India.”
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“Technology is reshaping exhibitions through digital registration systems, AI-driven matchmaking, hybrid event formats, data analytics, and enhanced visitor engagement tools. The future of exhibitions will combine physical interaction with
digital intelligence.” He added.
He stressed making the best of Free Trade Agreements with various countries . The two-day IEIA event has brought together the most influential voices and innovators from the exhibition industry under one roof, reaffirming its reputation as the premier international conclave of India’s exhibition ecosystem.
“In the 15th edition, the event is being attended by more than 1,200 industry leaders and international delegates, making it the largest and most influential gathering of professionals in the Indian exhibition industry. The event has brought together CEOs, Managing Directors, and key decision-makers, including exhibition organizers, heads of trade bodies and sectoral associations, government officials, service providers, and venue representatives from across India and around the world.” Said Mr Sooraj Dhawan, President, Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA), the national apex body of the exhibition industry .
“The global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, which is a specialised segment of the tourism and hospitality industry, is projected to grow from USD 870 billion to over USD 1.4 trillion by 2030. India is a significant and rapidly rising player. This MICE Leaders Connect brings together key stakeholders from across southern states to chart a cohesive roadmap for the sector,” added Mr Dhawan.
As India continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the IEIA Open Seminar & Expo serves as a powerful platform to highlight the country’s expanding exhibition landscape and its role in driving global business engagement.
For industry professionals seeking to expand their network, explore new partnerships, and unlock business growth within the exhibition sector, the 15th IEIA Open Seminar & Exhibition Services Expo 2026 stands as a must-attend event on the global industry calendar.
Those present on the occasion included Mr S.K. Bhatia, CEO, Yamuna Authority (YEIDA), Mr Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, India Expo Mart Limited, Mr Jagdish Patankar, Hon Secretary, IEIA, Mr Mercy Epao, Jt Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Mr Sebastian Witt, Senior Consultant, JWC, GMBH and Mr Ubaid Ahmed, Vice President, IEIA
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