- Aimsite Events has a rich history dating back to the early days of exhibitions in India. Can you walk us through the company’s journey from a BTL advertising venture to a leader in the B2B events industry?
Rajeet Mehta:
It’s quite an interesting story—with a touch of fate, I’d say. I moved to Mumbai in 1984 to pursue a career in the Hindi film industry as a writer, director, and actor. My creative & entrepreneurial journey had begun earlier in Delhi, where I became well known in professional stage plays during college and soon after launched my own theatre production company, Sagar Arts.
After spending a few years in Mumbai navigating the film industry, I realized I needed a more stable source of income. That led to the launch of PACE Advertising, a venture I started with a few friends. We worked on a variety of projects—from radio spots to hoardings—and delivered some successful ad campaigns.
In late 1989, almost serendipitously, I decided to start afresh and launched Aimsite. At the time, the concept of trade shows was just beginning to take root in India. We began as a traditional advertising business, offering hoardings, newspaper ads, radio jingles, banners, and other promotional campaigns. Over time, Aimsite became a leader in banner advertising in Mumbai. We even built an in-house screen printing unit to produce and install cloth banners across the city.
Our entry into the world of exhibitions came through a small gifting expo that was taking place in the Nehru Center. They approached us to design and execute a banner campaign. We did the campaign in exchange for a small booth at the show—and that booth turned out to be a goldmine of leads. That was our first taste of the exhibition industry.
From there, one step led to another. We took on more projects, explored the ecosystem carefully, and gradually built our expertise. It became clear to me that the Exhibitions Industry was where Aimsite belonged—to grow, lead and make a mark.
- What were some of the pivotal moments that shaped Aimsite Events’ evolution over the past three decades?
Rajeet Mehta:
A major turning point was in the 1990s when Maharashtra banned cloth banners for environmental reasons. The ban forced us to pivot. We shifted our complete focus to exhibitions, and that decision turned out to be the defining moment for Aimsite. We began expanding both our team and our capabilities, immersing ourselves fully in the world of B2B events. My background in advertising and my creative inclination found a perfect match in this dynamic industry. It was both a natural transition and a conscious leap. Today, Aimsite stands as a trusted name in the exhibition and events industry, offering services such as custom booth design, venue branding, and corporate event management—all with the same passion that got us started.
Shivali Mehta:
With my entry in 2012, we started to consciously shape and strengthen the brand identity of Aimsite. We focused on elevating our creative capabilities and refining our communication standards, further improving how we were perceived in the industry and adding a fresh edge to our existing legacy. A major Inflection point came in 2020, when the pandemic brought the events industry to a sudden and indefinite halt. Like many, we had no blueprint for such a crisis. After a year of introspection, research, and planning, I launched Salt Consult in 2021, a brand strategy and communication design firm. It felt like a natural extension of my own strengths—creativity and communication—and also a strategic evolution for Aimsite. Salt allowed us to leverage our network and offer more holistic value to clients. Today, with Aimsite Events and Salt Consult working in tandem, we’re positioning ourselves not just as service providers, but as strategic brand partners—especially for SME businesses in India. It’s a step forward from execution to transformation, and it’s been one of the most exciting phases of our journey yet. 2025 marked our first international projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and now we are moving with renewed fervour towards our vision.
- Aimsite Events offers a broad range of services, from stall design and fabrication to brand strategy and communication design. What do you believe sets Aimsite apart in this competitive industry?
Rajeet Mehta:
What sets us apart is the trust we’ve built over decades and the culture we’ve nurtured internally. We didn’t just enter this industry—we grew up with it. Our team is trained to think like owners—solution-driven, dependable, and always detail-oriented. These values reflect in our long-standing client relationships. Even today, I take personal interest in mentoring the team. Many of our clients have worked with us for over a decade, and that kind of trust doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from consistency, sincerity, and attention to detail—something that is ingrained in our very nature.
Shivali Mehta:
I believe our biggest strength lies in how we’ve evolved without losing our essence. We’re still a family-run business, which keeps us grounded and accessible, but we’ve also scaled up our thinking and offerings to meet the needs of today’s brands. The addition of Salt Consult to our ecosystem means we now look at events not just as setups to be executed, but as brand moments to be amplified. We think end-to-end, from spatial design and audience experience to communication strategy and storytelling. That’s a rare blend in this industry.
Our clients appreciate that we don’t operate in silos. We ask questions about their brand, their positioning, and their goals before we ever put pencil to paper. This strategic approach, backed by a strong creative core and reliable execution, is what truly sets us apart.
- With the event landscape constantly evolving, how does Aimsite stay ahead of trends—especially in areas like hybrid experiences and digital integration?
Shivali Mehta:
What’s kept us relevant is our constant willingness to learn and adapt. From shifting formats—like banners to booths, or physical to hybrid—we’ve always evolved with the industry. Whether it’s creating share-worthy brand moments, integrating digital engagement tools during events, or planning for hybrid footprints, we are actively trying to future-proof our offering across the entire spectrum of our services.
- Sustainability is increasingly important in the events sector. How is Aimsite integrating sustainable practices into its operations and event production?
Shivali Mehta:
We see sustainability not as a trend, but as a responsibility. We actively recommend reusable materials, modular designs, and eco-friendly printing solutions. Internally, we’re working on minimizing waste and sourcing more responsibly. It’s a continuous journey, and we’re committed to improving with every project.
- What advice would you give to the next generation of event professionals looking to make their mark?
Rajeet Mehta:
Stay grounded and never stop observing—every client, venue, and challenge teaches you something. Don’t chase glamour; chase excellence. This is a people-driven business, and your integrity, commitment, and ability to deliver under pressure are what truly set you apart in the long run.
Shivali Mehta:
This industry rewards those who are hands-on, agile, and deeply committed. It’s not as glamorous as it looks from the outside. You need to have the stamina to go the extra mile and the humility to keep learning. My advice is: treat every project like it’s your own brand at stake. Be dependable, be curious, and always keep your ears open—because some of the best ideas come from simply listening better.
