SIAL and Vinexpo provide food and drink for India ’ s exhibitions sector
EW hears from Mr Rajan Sharma , MD of Inter Ads Exhibitions Pvt Ltd , joint organiser of the big SIAL and Vinexpo shows that ran together in India in December
H ow did the food innovation show SIAL and global wine exhibition Vinexpo go in December in New Delhi ? The situation in India is positive and exhibitions are happening regularly now with protocols in place . This joint exhibition by SIAL India and Vinexpo India was well received by the industry . The three days of the show saw 119 exhibitors , 80 B2B meetings , and 7,500 visitors .
Lack of international participation in terms of exhibitors and visitors was a challenge . However , India is a huge country and the support of our participants meant the shows were successful . It was the first time that SIAL had brought Vinexposium ’ s live show format to the country . We thought this was the right time to add a new layer to the show .
We worked closely with the authorities , right from the entry to the exit , following all Covid protocols and safety guidelines . All exhibitors had to submit their double vaccination certificate . live cooking demos and expert talks .
The shows complemented each other . Normally in India , wine tasting shows are conducted in limited spaces with limited audiences . Here the industry was exposed to a huge audience , in a comfortable , well-connected space .
Do you intend to co-locate SIAL and Vinexpo again ? Yes , after the thrilling response to our debut at New Delhi , we will be co-locating the two shows once again . In Delhi , Vinexpo India was a curtain raiser event , but in Mumbai , in May , it will be a fullyfledged exhibition , with many more exhibitors and master classes .
Tell us about other shows planned . InterAds is in expansion mode . Our calendar is booked for 2022 with four editions of SIAL in Delhi ,
“ India luckily has seen a huge economic revival and , with the decline of
Covid , the exhibition sector is also coming back slowly .”
Above : Rajan Sharma Below : Opening SIAL India 2021
Mumbai , Varanasi and the North East scheduled . Vinexpo India has its two editions in Mumbai and Delhi which will again be co-located with SIAL . A recent partnership with f2f events will see the launch of Fertility India in several locations , starting in Delhi in December 2022 .
We will also be announcing three more ventures in different sectors .
How has the market changed ? The Indian exhibition industry is getting close to the US model which is very self-reliant . Both in size and in population numbers , India is a huge market and shows have the potential to be rotated within the country .
Lack of recognition of our industry in India meant organisers felt helpless when Covid hit . I am a founder member of CIEO , an organisers ’ council , and our representation at Pragati Maidan enabled us to get a 20 % relief in hall rental charges .
What advice would you offer international organisers and exhibitors considering India ? India has seen an economic revival and the exhibition sector is also coming back slowly . Organisers , exhibitors and other stakeholders should definitely look towards India which is going to be the biggest market in the world .
What advantages have there been from co-locating the shows and working with organising partners Comexposium and Vinexposium ? The biggest advantage was that both shows got exposure from the industry stakeholders in totality . We missed no vertical , be it from hospitality , culinary , retailers , manufacturers , exporters , etc .
We had 14 masterclasses of wines and spirits and celebrity chefs doing
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