Exhibition World Supplements India Supplement | Page 18

India
Leading the way
R.E. Rogers India (RERI) has been throwing expert exhibition moves
since 1986 and company MD and founder Ravinder Sethi shares some insights
for successfully working on this market with vast potential
xhibition logistics experts RERI
started in 1986 with four staff
and a small office in Delhi.
Today, at almost 140-strong, the
company’s presence extends to half a
dozen cities across India.
“We’ve been market leaders for
years and set quality standards for
many to follow,” the company says,
and is proud of taking a lead with
government agencies in pioneering
customer-friendly policies.
“Our biggest contribution is
proving that exhibition logistics in
India is not the nightmare which
prevails in many countries,” a
company spokesperson tells EW.
“Several global organisers viewed
this as a major positive factor when
deciding to invest in India.”
So what are the USPs at RERI and
what are the current challenges of
what is a competitive market?
“The most prominent is our
personnel,” says founder and MD
Ravinder Sethi. “I often mention
how proud I am to captain the best
RERI has offices in Delhi,
Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad,
Chennai and Goa effectively
covering all major hubs in
India. We work for almost all
major organisers in the country
and are also empanelled
with Pragati Maidan, BIEC
(Bangalore International
Exhibition Center), HITEX
(Hyderabad), EXPO MART,
Noida as well as other venues
in India. We are affiliated with
all the major international/
national associations related
to this industry. These include
UFI, IEIA, AFECA, IAEE, FIATA,
ACCAI and IATA.
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Supplement
logistics team in the world. Success
is all about teamwork, and we at R.E.
Rogers excel in that.”
“ I would also identify our ISO
accreditations and practising every
aspect of them gives us strength.
Add to that our own infrastructure,
in house licences, and equipment/
manpower, and it all makes us very
secure internally.”
How does Sethi see the industry in
India shaping in future and how will
it impact the logistics sector?
“The enhanced all-India venue
capacities, a vibrant economy, and
greater ease of doing business will
see a tremendous boom to the
exhibition industry. 2020 is going to
be phenomenal!
“A natural correlation will see a
huge growth in our logistics sector.
We’re going to see our logistics going
to the next level.”
Technology will play an ever
greater role in the logistics space
and Sethi describes digitalisation
as “the buzzword of the exhibition
industry globally - logistics being
no exception. We’re keeping pace
by having mainly online site
transactions and getting into digital
transport tracking,” he says.
So, how is the government
supporting the logistics sector in
India?
Sethi again: “Government
is supporting the construction
machinery sector in a very big way.
Regrettably, not as much is being
Right:
Domestic
players
accounts
for ~55%
of total
events,
while
industry
associa-
tion and
trade
bodies
leads with
~40% in
total gross
area;
inter-
national
players
gaining
share
through
acquisi-
tions.
Statistics
from
Indian
Exhibition
Industry
Associa-
tion.
Overall exhibition industry 2018 –
organiser segmentation
Venue
International
Organisers
Trade & Govt.
Body
Industry
Association
2%
8%
10%
24%
Domestic
Organisers
4%
12,312
23%
17%
25%
32,537
14,227
8,209
55%
32%
4,733
Number
of Events
Gross Area
(mio sqm)
Average
exhibition
size (sqm)
done for the logistics transport and
equipment sector. For example,
very heavy cranes/forklifts and high
capacity sensitive trailers are still not
easily accessible, although I’m sure
government will respond positively
to our needs very soon.
“At a macro level, great things
have been achieved, with the
up-gradation of the road and rail
infrastructure all over India.”
And Sethi’s own personal mantra
for success in this incredible market?
“I am often asked this question. My
response remains the same:
“– Lead the way and set the rules.
– Set quality standards for others to
follow.
– Keep pace with the technical/
digital revolution.
– Maintain internal and external
relationships.
– Retain our culture and humility.”
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