A PGDM from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Mr. Sooraj Dhawan is attributed with inception and sustainable success of several landmark Trade Shows in India, including International Engineering Sourcing Show (since 2012), InfoComm India (since 2012), IPHEX India (since 2013), Cap India (since 2016), Source India (since 2016), Logix India (since 2019) PlexConnect (since 2023). 

Mr. Dhawan is the Director of Falcon Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. A visionary business strategist, Mr. Dhawan specialises in International Trade development & Investments and feels that trade shows are the best way forward to business expansion. He is also a big advocate of ‘Make in India – Export from India and is an acknowledged specialist in organising International Buyer-Seller meets in India in areas, including Engineering, Power & Electricals, Automobile components, Rubber, Plastics & Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles and Information Technology. 

Currently, Mr. Dhawan is the President of Indian Exhibition Industry Association. The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) is the national apex body representing the Exhibitions industry in India, comprising 400+ leading Exhibitions industry players, sectoral associations and trade bodies. He is representing IEIA in the prestigious India M.I.C.E. Board formed by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. 

Mr. Dhawan is National convenor for MICE Sector Panel of Bureau of Indian standards. He also represents India in the ISO Standards body and in the UFI ISO Working Group. Mr. Dhawan is currently Director to the Board of Governors at IIM Calcutta Incubation Park and is focused on mentoring startups all over India. Mr. Dhawan is also a trained business mediator and empanelled with the Ministry of Company Affairs in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata for offering business mediation and conciliation services. 

• In this episode, Sooraj Dhawan talks about the current state of the Exhibition Industry in India, as well as future plans and required actions to take it further. 
• He points out that modern infrastructure for MICE is growing rapidly in the country, not just in Metros but also Tier II and Tier III towns, making India a very attractive destination for global exhibitions. What needs to be added to the mix is much greater international flight connectivity to emerging destinations in the country. 
• Alongside, in terms of technology, there is great skill and adoption in the country, providing a robust base for leveraging the India Stack. In the area of manpower, there needs to be greater skilling, which associations and universities are already developing and delivering. 

Run time – 00:50:04