In a significant move to elevate workforce capabilities across India’s burgeoning events industry, the Indian Exhibitions, Conferences & Events Services Association (IESA) and the Media and Entertainment Skill Council (MESC) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the opening of India Expo Shop 2025, held from August 12–13 at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka. The agreement targets developing training frameworks to skill and upskill professionals in content, context, and competency across the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) and live events segments.
The fifth edition of India Expo Shop, organized by IESA, convened over 100 exhibitors, 300-plus decision-makers, and more than 2,000 professionals. It is recognized as one of the nation’s leading platforms for exploring innovation, sustainability, next-gen technology, and talent development in the event services sector.
The MoU ceremony was a highlight of the event. Ms. Pooja Arora, COO of MESC, and senior figures from both organizations jointly signed the agreement in the presence of industry stalwarts including Ms. Uma Menon (General Secretary, IESA), Mr. Sooraj Dhawan (President, Indian Exhibition Industry Association), Mr. Phil Chung (CEO/CMO, Kinexin IICC), Ms. Sonia Prashar (MD & Chairperson, NürnbergMesse India), Mr. Ashish Jain (Founder, Indian Pollution Control Association), and Mr. Sagar Pingali (EVP, Event and Entertainment Management Association).
Mr. Dhawan emphasized the urgency of harnessing new skills as India’s exhibitions sector awaits a significant scale-up in the coming years. He observed that estimated revenues could double within three years and pointed to five strategic pillars needed to fuel growth: advanced technology implementation, sustainable infrastructure, regional venue development, global-level workforce training, and unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Mr. Chung highlighted that eco-credentials have become an investment criterion for international players- noting that decisions hinge on metrics such as CO₂ emissions per event. He lauded Yashobhoomi’s drive to align with global ESG benchmarks.
Attending virtually, IESA President Mr. Jatinder Kapur contextualized India’s MICE momentum. He noted the sector’s market size rose to USD 49.4 billion in 2024, with a target to surpass USD 100 billion by 2030. Despite hosting over 35,000 corporate events annually, India currently holds below 5 percent of the global MICE market and must enhance its share. He stressed initiatives such as EventFull Bharat- the event’s new sister-platform to promote emerging players- as vital for sectoral democratization and competitiveness.
On sustainability and responsible practices, Mr. Ashish Jain urged integrating waste reduction, carbon footprint minimization, and eco-friendly materials into exhibitions to ensure a lasting positive environmental legacy.
Ms. Prashar reinforced that skill development must permeate every segment of the events ecosystem. She called for regionally distributed Centres of Excellence focused on standardized curricula, health-and-safety norms, sustainable materials usage, and ethical conduct. She invited industry players to invest resources, including CSR contributions, to support and scale these institutions.
The MoU between IESA and MESC is expected to yield a series of structured programmes, from certificate courses to hands-on workshops, covering domains such as technology-driven event planning, sustainable execution, and global best practices. It is poised to redefine workforce readiness in alignment with India’s escalating role in global MICE and entertainment events.
As industry stakeholders convene at India Expo Shop 2025, the partnership between IESA and MESC signals a strategic framework for professional development. It is poised to prepare a skilled talent base capable of delivering high-quality, sustainable and competitive events- fortifying India’s journey to become a preeminent global MICE destination.
