From luxury accommodations to better connectivity, modern upgrades and enhanced infrastructure are redefining the MICE industry, ensuring world-class event experiences.
By Janice Alyosius
As the travelling industry is eying on leveraging the economic benefits of the event industry, convention centres and exhibition venues are evolving with enhanced capacities, global promotions and cutting-edge infrastructure.
Corporates prioritise seamless connectivity, luxury hospitality, high-speed internet and sustainability for hosting their events. These venues address such needs with integrated transport links, state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, eco-friendly initiatives and flexible event spaces, ensuring seamless execution of trade shows, conferences and corporate gatherings.
Avant garde venues
Strategically located in Bengaluru, Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) has been a key player in world-class event infrastructure for nearly two decades and to highlight the same, Ubaid Ahmad, Senior Director, Head, Marketing, BIEC, Bengaluru, shared recent upgrades that have enhanced the venue’s appeal. One of the major developments is the newly opened Madavara metro station, which offers a direct connectivity to BIEC. Additionally, BIEC has developed a 6,000 sq. m. open concrete space with integrated trench facilities, accommodating more exhibitors and expanding event capacity. To enhance the visitor experience, the upgraded food court now offers a diverse culinary selection and modern seating arrangements.
Managed by The Leela, one of India’s leading 5-star hospitality, Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre is among the largest convention venues in the country. Located at just 2-minute drive from The Leela Gandhinagar, the largest 5-star property in Gujarat in terms of inventory, the venue ensures convenience for event organisers and attendees.
Emphasising the luxury and convenience offered by their venue, Vikas Sood, General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar and The Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, shared, “Our venue spans 34 acres and features world-class facilities and high-tech audiovisual and IT infrastructure. It is designed to host large-scale conferences, exhibitions and turnkey events with ease.” The venue also provides easy access to 5-star accommodation with up to 2,000 rooms, making it ideal for hosting grand-scale events.
ExpoInn Suites & Convention, situated within the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, offers a unique blend of luxury accommodations and top-tier event facilities. Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, spoke about the venue’s distinctive features that cater to both business and leisure travellers. “We provide 134 elegantly designed rooms and suites, two on-site restaurants—Paprika and Café Amaris, serving diverse cuisines and the Altus Lounge and Bar for relaxation and networking. Additional amenities include a spa, gym, multiple banquet halls and versatile meeting rooms.” said Gupta.
Strategically located, ExpoInn Suites & Convention ensures unparalleled accessibility for attendees, making it a sought-after destination for corporate events, exhibitions and conferences.
On international front, since the grand opening in November 2022, Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) has gained international recognition as a premier venue for MICE industry. Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and Chairman, EWB, explained, “Our venue is designed to accommodate events of all sizes and budgets, ensuring accessibility for organisers and attendees alike. Bahrain’s strategic location offers proximity to key regional cities and easy access to major Asian markets, including India and Southeast Asia.”
With convenient access to Bahrain International Airport, over 18,000 hotel rooms and an array of attractions, the venue is perfectly positioned to host high-profile international events. Buhiji further highlighted, “We focus on attracting high-profile international events by offering versatile spaces tailored to organisers’ specific needs,” she added.
Making the right choice
Explaining how to select the right convention center for corporate events, V.S Abdul Kareem, Chairman & Managing Director, FlyCreative Online Limited, said, “There are so many factors one has to take into consideration while selecting convention centers for corporate events. Connectivity of the location, proximity to airports, railway stations, transportation and parking facilities need to be convenient for logistical arrangements. The convention center should have adequate capacity to accommodate the expected number of delegates and should provide necessary amenities such as high-speed internet and state-of-the-art audiovisual, lighting and digital signage facilities.”
Kareem further emphasised the necessity of government subsidies and incentives to promote large-scale MICE events. “For conducting global MICE events, mega cities provide the required infrastructure but may not meet budget constraints. To overcome such issues, government support and international sponsorships are crucial,” he added.
He also pointed out that compliance with international regulations is key when organising global MICE events. He stated, “Corporates must ensure compliance with international visa and immigration regulations. Identifying countries that allow visas on arrival or e-visas and facilitating these requirements for foreign delegates is essential for smooth participation.”
Meanwhile, Kamal Kant Vashistha, Assistant Vice President, Kotak Life Insurance, highlighted the key reasons for choosing The Leela to host their event, “The main factor was that they have the biggest hall with ample room inventory. We also had the flexibility to close one partition if not needed, using it as a pre-function area. Being a renowned brand, The Leela delivers better service with trained professionals managing events seamlessly. However, the only area for improvement is the lunch and dinner space—if expanded, it could enhance the overall impact. Additionally, serving breakfast in the pre-function area diminishes the 5-star experience. That said, we had no logistical challenges reaching the venue.”
Emerging trends
Highlighting the evolving trends in MICE events, Kareem said, “The evolving trends in corporate MICE events are not restricted to only convention centers. More corporates are exploring alternative venues such as cruises, boutique hotels and resorts with wellness facilities like yoga retreats. There is a growing preference for eco-friendly venues, as there is a notable shift in client expectations influencing venue choices,” he added.
While highlighting the increasing demand for convention centers in tier II and III cities he stated, “The improvements in infrastructure in these cities, have made them more appealing along with the cost-effectiveness and unique cultural experiences they offer.”
Kareem also emphasised the role of MICE operators in supporting these emerging destinations. “MICE operators can collaborate with local vendors, service providers and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) with established track records in these regions. Their expertise helps navigate logistical challenges, ensuring smooth event planning,” he explained.
Capacity
BIEC offers five state-of-the-art exhibition halls with a total exhibition space of 77,200 sq. m. Ahmad informed, “Our Conference Centre features five halls, capable of accommodating up to 2,500 attendees. Overall, BIEC can host up to 24,000 attendees at a time, making it a top choice for grand-scale events,” he said.
Emphasising the capacity of The Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sood said, “Our convention centre can accommodate over 10,000 guests, making it one of the most expansive MICE venues in India.”
Gupta highlighted the ExpoInn Suites & Convention’s adaptability to different event formats. “Our venue offers versatile event spaces totaling 69,000 sq. ft., including five meeting rooms and outdoor areas. We can accommodate events ranging from intimate gatherings of 50 guests to large-scale functions with 3,000 attendees,” he added.
Buhiji highlighted the scale and flexibility of Bahrain’s EWB. “Spanning over 309,000 sq. m., EWB encompasses 10 versatile exhibition halls of different ceiling heights and a total area of 95,000 sqm. Each hall is equipped with essential technical services and storage spaces, with independent exits and entrances,” she said. The Convention Centre at EWB includes an extraordinary Grand Hall with retractable seating for up to 4,000 guests, making it an ideal space for large conferences and corporate launches. The hall’s operable walls allow it to be subdivided into up to five separate areas, offering complete flexibility.
EWB’s extensive facilities also include 94 meeting rooms of varying sizes, three exclusive VIP Majlises for distinguished guests and three dedicated bridal suites for weddings and cultural events. In-house catering services feature Bahrain’s largest fully equipped kitchen, capable of catering for up to 10,000 guests daily.
Global promotion
BIEC actively collaborates with leading global exhibition and event organisations, including UFI, ICCA, EEMA, and IEIA, reinforcing its presence in the global exhibition industry. “These partnerships enable BIEC to expand its network and attract prestigious events,” said Ahmad. Beyond alliances, BIEC maintains a strong global presence through active participation in global trade fairs and networking forums. Similarly, Sood also emphasised that they too participate in global trade shows and industry forums, collaborating with global conferences to promote their Exhibition Centre on global platforms along with digital campaigns and targeted outreach programmes.
“However, our most powerful marketing tool remains word of mouth—we have established ourselves as the go-to venue for hosting high-profile events attended by world leaders,” Sood noted. The Leela also participates in global events and roadshows, such as IMEX Frankfurt, ICCA and ATM for better visibility.
ExpoInn Suites & Convention actively promotes its offerings on international platforms through strategic marketing initiatives. “We participate in global trade shows and collaborate with international hospitality consultants to enhance our global presence,” informed Gupta.
ExpoInn’s commitment to excellence is further reinforced by its 5-star classification from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. “Our official website and social media channels serve as platforms to showcase our facilities and engage with a global audience,” Gupta added.
In case of EWB, Buhiji revealed, “We have participated in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) Mumbai 2024) and BTEA’s 3-city India Roadshow in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Delhi to establish strong relationships with Indian tour operators, event planners and wedding organisers.”
“BIEC has developed a 6,000 sq. m. open concrete space with integrated trench facilities, accommodating more exhibitors and expanding event capacity.”
“With over 18,000 hotel rooms and an array of attractions, EWB can host high-profile events.”
“The Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre can accommodate over 10,000 guests and attendees.”
