ES. How has your service offering evolved to meet the changing demands of modern exhibitions and trade shows in India?
Jatinder Kapur. At NK Kapur & Co Pvt Ltd, we’ve consistently adapted our services to meet the evolving needs of exhibitions, trade shows, and large-format public events in India. The industry has shifted from static booths to immersive, large-scale environments that demand agility, scale, and turnkey execution.
We were among the first to introduce aluminium modular stall systems (Octonorm/Syma) in India back in 1983. Our hangar structures have also evolved—from basic MS pipe-based setups to today’s advanced aluminium structures that are lighter, stronger, and faster to assemble, enabling rapid deployment even in remote locations.
Our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic — where we delivered infrastructure like the BKC Jumbo COVID facility and three other hospitals in Mumbai — highlighted our ability to mobilize fast under pressure. From these emergency builds to mega exhibitions and political campaigns, we offer turnkey services that include design, fabrication, graphics, branding, electricals, utilities, and on-ground execution. Today, clients expect speed, consistency, and accountability across venues. With pan-India operations, large inventory capacity, and dedicated project managers, we are able to deliver premium-quality setups — from trade show pavilions to 25-acre tent cities — reliably and efficiently.
ES. Can you share an example of a large-scale event where your team played a crucial behind-the-scenes role?
Jatinder Kapur. A standout example is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Padyatra, which began on October 2, 2022, and continued until January 2025. This state-wide grassroots movement required Mr. Kishor to walk to a new town or village every day — covering roughly 10 km daily. Each site needed to be equipped with accommodation, food zones, and a stage setup for mass gatherings.
Each site took around three days to complete, so while one site was in use, the next was already under construction. At any given time, multiple sites were in various stages of completion — demanding overlapping schedules, precise coordination, and full turnkey
execution. Our ability to manage this operational marathon — across unknown locations, varied terrain, and daily deadlines — was key to the project’s success. Other large-scale executions include the Maha Kumbh Mela, where we constructed over 400 VVIP toilets, police dormitories, and a 25-acre private tent city, and the Saras Ajeevika Mela in Sector 29, Gurgaon, where we managed infrastructure across 35 acres, catering to exhibitors and lakhs of footfall.
ES. How do you ensure consistent quality and reliability across different venues, cities, and organiser formats?
Jatinder Kapur. Our consistency stems from a combination of modular infrastructure, centralised planning, in-house execution, and a deep understanding of how to manage scale. We pioneered the use of Octonorm/Syma modular systems and have since upgraded all large-scale infrastructure — including our hangar systems, which evolved from MS pipe to aluminium-based structures for improved efficiency and finish. This ensures repeatable quality across locations.
Our in-house capabilities — in design, graphics, branding, flooring, lighting, and utilities — give us complete control over quality, timelines, and aesthetics. Every project starts with a detailed execution plan and 3D design alignment, regardless of whether it’s a 9 sqm booth or a 35-acre mela. With operations in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Kolkata, and inventory to manage simultaneous builds, we have the scale and manpower to deliver across cities — all under a single project manager assigned to each client. Our work is also backed by ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring standardised processes and safety.
ES. What trends are shaping the future of exhibitions in India over the next 3–5 years-especially in terms of technology and service integration?
Jatinder Kapur. The exhibition and events sector is evolving rapidly. Based on our frontline experience, here are the key trends:
- Hybrid & Digital Integration: Physical events are increasingly complemented by virtual platforms, livestreaming, and real-time visitor engagement tools. Expect to see digital registration, touchless check-ins, live dashboards, and AR/VR experiences become standard.
- Smart Infrastructure: Organisers are moving towards IoT-enabled systems — including smart lighting, digital wayfinding, climate control, and utility monitoring.
- Sustainability & Reusability: Clients are prioritizing eco-conscious setups. Our reusable modular aluminium systems and climate-efficient hangars align perfectly with this shift.
- Turnkey + Extended Services: Clients no longer just want fabrication — they seek design, logistics, branding, content integration, on-ground support, and post-event wrap-up — all under one roof.
- Expansion Beyond Metros: As events grow in Tier II/III cities, only experienced, mobile, and resource-backed firms can manage quality in non-standard venues — an area where we excel.
ES. What are the biggest gaps or bottlenecks in the current Indian exhibition ecosystem that service providers like N K Kapur & Co Pvt Ltd are helping to bridge?
Jatinder Kapur. Fragmented Infrastructure & Lack of Venues India lacks enough purpose-built venues, especially in smaller cities. Our portable, high-quality, modular setups help organisers deliver professional experiences anywhere in the country.
- Logistical & Operational Complexity Running shows across cities can be chaotic. With a pan-India footprint and simultaneous execution capacity, we simplify this challenge and offer end-to-end accountability.
- Standardisation & Quality Gaps Quality varies drastically from vendor to vendor. We solve this with centralised design, in-house graphics, and ISO-certified execution protocols — ensuring consistency, every time.
- Safety, Compliance & Documentation The industry has long lacked formal SOPs, safety standards, and contract uniformity. IESA is actively working to highlight these issues and standardise them, and we fully support this by implementing structured documentation, safety protocols, and trained teams in every project — from hospitals to large-scale melas.
- Lack of Recognition & Policy Support Despite contributing to the economy, the industry still lacks formal government recognition. We work with associations like IESA to raise these concerns at the policy level.
ES. On the occasion of 10 years of Walking Together with IESA, what are your thoughts on IESA and its relevance for the industry?
Jatinder Kapur. IESA has become an essential backbone of the Indian exhibition and events ecosystem. Over the past decade, it has worked hard to bring structure, awareness, and unity to an otherwise fragmented sector. Its most valuable role has been in highlighting the industry’s critical issues and actively trying to standardise them – from safety codes and SOPs to fair contracts and training. This effort has created a more reliable and professional ecosystem for clients, organisers, and service providers alike.
Through initiatives like India Expo Shop, directories, technical workshops, and government liaison, IESA is helping the sector move forward — especially as we enter an era of hybrid exhibitions, sustainability mandates, and tech-first solutions.
