Trust your voice, invest in learning, and give yourself time to grow
ES. You currently hold leadership roles across MMACTIV, and industry associations. How do these positions together allow you to influence policy, industry direction and international positioning of India as a global MICE destination?
Vibha Bhatia. These roles allow me to view the MICE ecosystem holistically rather than in silos. At MMACTIV, I work at the execution and platform-building level, translating policy intent into on-ground outcomes. The focus is on destination positioning and international conference bidding, where India’s narrative, preparedness, and credibility are shaped for global audiences. IEIA, on the other hand, provides an industry-wide lens bringing together organisers, venues, service providers, and stakeholders to align on standards, advocacy, and long-term direction.
These roles enable a feedback loop where insights from execution inform policy advocacy, and global best practices feed back into industry capability-building. This integrated perspective is critical in positioning India not just as a cost-effective destination, but as a reliable, mature, and globally competitive MICE hub.
ES. With over two decades in government liaison and international conference bidding, what recent policy or institutional shifts have most positively impacted India’s ability to attract large global exhibitions and congresses?
Vibha Bhatia. Over the last few years, India has seen some very important policy and institutional shifts that have significantly strengthened its ability to attract and host large global exhibitions and international congresses. From the perspective of international conference bidding, these changes have made India a far more credible, organised, and competitive destination. One of the most meaningful shifts has been the way MICE is now viewed at an institutional level not merely as a tourism activity, but as a strategic economic driver. This change in mindset has led to major investments in world-class, purpose-built infrastructure such as Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, the CIDCO Exhibition and Convention Centre, and Jio World Centre. Combined with improved air connectivity and urban infrastructure, these venues have significantly enhanced India’s ability to host high-scale, high-visibility international events and have positively changed global perception during bidding processes.
Another major development is the Union Ministry of Tourism’s decision to establish city-level Convention Promotion Bureaus from 2026, as part of a national MICE strategy. These professional City MICE Bureaus will function as autonomous, public–private institutions, acting as a single-window interface for international organisers. For global associations and exhibition organisers, this directly addresses long-standing challenges around fragmented approvals, local coordination, and destination support making India far easier to bid for and operate in. India’s broader national MICE strategy has also played a critical role.
Measures such as improved visa facilitation for international delegates, discussions around tax and regulatory support for organisers, and the professionalisation of destination management frameworks have helped create a more predictable and organiser-friendly environment. This stability and institutional backing are crucial factors in winning international bids. These shifts strong policy support, professional institutions, modern infrastructure, and improved ease of doing business have positioned India as a serious and reliable contender on the global MICE map, capable of hosting complex international exhibitions and congresses with confidence.
ES. As a Steering Committee Member of IEIA’s Women in Leadership Focus Group and Vice Chair of the Fantastic Under 40s, how are these platforms helping shape a more inclusive, skilled and future-ready exhibitions workforce in India?
Vibha Bhatia. Both platforms address a critical need: talent sustainability. The Women in Leadership Focus Group works to create visibility, mentorship, and pathways for women to move into decision-making roles where representation has historically been limited. It is not about quotas, but about enabling access, confidence, and leadership readiness. Fantastic Under 40s focuses on recognising and nurturing young professionals who are shaping the future of the industry. Together, these initiatives encourage skill development, leadership thinking, and a culture of merit and inclusion essential for building a resilient and future-ready workforce.
ES. How do you see India’s Exhibition & Event industry evolving over the next five years—and what must industry leaders prioritize to stay globally competitive?
Vibha Bhatia. India’s exhibition and event industry is poised
for significant scale and global relevance over the next five years. Growth will come not just from volume, but from quality, consistency, and credibility. International organisers and associations will increasingly look for destinations that offer predictability, governance, and professional delivery.
Industry leaders must prioritise talent development, operational standards, sustainability, and long-term partnerships. Investing in people, processes, and institutional trust will be far more important than short-term expansion. To stay globally competitive, the focus must shift from transactional delivery to ecosystem building and value creation.
ES. What challenges have you faced as a woman leader, and how did you overcome them?
Vibha Bhatia. One of the most consistent challenges I have faced as a woman leader has been the need to earn acceptance often more slowly and more quietly than expected. There are moments when your ideas are tested more rigorously, your decisions are second-guessed, or your presence has to be proven through outcomes rather than assumed. Over time, I learned that the most effective response was not to seek validation, but to focus on credibility and consistency. By delivering results, staying composed under pressure, and remaining committed to quality and integrity, acceptance & trust gradually followed. Equally important was learning to value my own worth, independent of external approval. Leadership also required letting go of the need to explain or justify myself constantly. Confidence, I realised, comes from clarity of purpose and the courage to stand by one’s decisions. Acceptance, when it comes, is strongest when it is rooted in respect rather than reassurance.
ES. Are there any women, from your personal life or public life, who have shaped the way you lead today?
Vibha Bhatia. I draw inspiration from both a personal and a public role model. On a personal level, my mother has been my greatest influence. Her quiet resilience, emotional strength, and ability to shoulder responsibility with dignity shaped my understanding of leadership early in life. She taught me that life is often about consistency, empathy, and staying steady through challenges. In the public sphere, I am inspired by Indra Nooyi. Her leadership stands out for its clarity, courage, and long-term vision. What I admire most is her ability to lead a global organisation with strategic depth while remaining grounded in values. She demonstrated that success and empathy can coexist, and that thoughtful, inclusive leadership can drive both performance and purpose. These influences remind me that meaningful life & leadership blends inner strength with strategic impact and that lasting influence is built through integrity, perseverance, and commitment over time.
ES. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles?
Vibha Bhatia. I would encourage young women to trust their voice, invest in learning, and give themselves the time to grow. Leadership is not about perfection or instant confidence—it is built through experience, resilience, and consistency. There will be moments of doubt, but those moments often become turning points. Focus on doing meaningful work, building credibility, and staying true to your values, even when the path feels uncertain.
As Indra Nooyi once said, “Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder.”
It is a reminder that leadership is not about fitting a mould, but about growing into your own strength with patience and purpose.
