Bengaluru, November 04, 2023 : Events are the bookmarks of our lives. Its when moments turn into memories and these memories turn into inspiration of a lifetime. Karnataka Event Management Association – KEMA meet-ups are not just one of those casual gatherings but, its an event where ideas and experiences converge. This time, KEMA, on account of its General Body Meeting, organized the Event Manager’s Meet up at The Leela Bharatiya City, Bengaluru.
The major highlights of this time’s KEMA meet were three crucial panel discussions of the doyens of the Wedding and Event Management Industry. Thoughtful and insightful conversation on elevating and engaging Bengaluru and as the next big wedding destination was discussed. Bengaluru is the city that perfectly blends modernity with traditions. Its not just the deck up but has become a destination of grand weddings,
The first panel had some of Bengaluru’s renowned wedding planners and wedding event company heads talking on “Crafting weddings as reflections of the couple’s unique love story”, the values and vision it involves. Moderated by RJ Rubina, the panel consisted of renowned wedding planners Srinivas Gunishetty, Farha Kudari, Nilma Dileepan and Divya Chauhan share their thoughts, insights and ideas.
The evolution of wedding demands in Bengaluru has become a focal point for top hoteliers, sparking discussions on the changing trends and the city’s potential as a lucrative market in the coming years. Bengaluru, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its wedding industry, reflecting the city’s dynamic cultural diversity and economic growth. Moderated by Riaz Basha, the Second Panel Discussion on “Elevating Bengaluru as the next big wedding destination” had a very interesting set of people share their perspectives and insights. The panel consisted of Reuben Kataria – GM Four Seasons, Manish Garg – GM, Hillton Gardenia, Ronan Fearon – GM, J W Marriot Blr Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa, Sanjay Gupta – Sheraton Grand, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Rohit Pandey, Manager, Leela Bharatiya and importantly Mr. Rajiv Kapoor – GM, Faremont, Jaipur who flew down only for this panel discussion to share his thoughts and best practices of the Jaipur Wedding Event Industry and Hotels.
The Hotel expertise said that traditionally, weddings in Bengaluru were marked by their cultural richness, with elaborate rituals and ceremonies deeply rooted in the city’s heritage. However, recent years have seen a significant shift in preferences. The trend creating unique and personalized wedding experiences by blending tradition and contemporary styles of wedding is evolving and has given rise to a demand for venues that can seamlessly merge cultural traditions with modern aesthetics. Demands for wedding in Bengaluru Evolved in recent years and what potential do they see Bengaluru as market for the next set of years and what unique features and offerings do premium hotels in Bengaluru bring to table as wedding destinations compare to other cities in India were some of the important points discussed by the top Hoteliers.
The third panel discussion of the evening “Elevating wedding and events to next level” had the who’s who of the Event Management Industry across India participate and share their insights, inputs and best practices. Moderated sharply by Syed Sultan, the panel consisted of Samit Garg – Co Founder & Managing Director – E-Factor Experiences & SkyWaltz, Roshan Abbas – Founder – Kommune India, Parthip Thygarajan – Co-Founder & CEO – Wedding Sutra and Prerana Saxena – Founder & CEO, Theme weaver design & Wedease
The pandemic imparted a profound lesson about unpredictability and obstacles. In midst of applauding and celebrating the flourishing of Event Management Industry, there was a very interesting topic of discussion which was out of the box for the evening. Roshan Abbas Founder – Kommune India held captive the minds of the event fraternity by asking them what they would be doing if not Event Management, a question the gathering was just not prepared for. In midst of well established Events Management career and some making a name for themselves and growing with the Industry, the ‘what if’ question was a puzzle. Some mind boggling examples of how people and organizations innovated and evolved from what they have already been doing to suit the requirements and emotions of the current generation, challenges of meeting the demands of the future generation and the magic of social media gave a million answers to how creativity, imagination and talent could lead to a million ways to destiny. 85 million weddings are going to happen in the coming year. 4.5 billion worth of events being planned and in midst of this, there are millions of businesses and opportunities that are being explored and waiting to happen. He concluded his firebrand talk with the quote “Be the rock of Gibraltar but, be on rail of rollerskates”
Speaking on the Occasion, Samit Garg – Co Founder & Managing Director – E-Factor Experiences & SkyWaltz said, “With the wedding industry catching the attention of the highest echelons of power and significant players like Efactor headed by Samit Garg making headlines, the landscape for event planners is ripe with opportunity. The partnership between Live Nation and Phase 1, redefining venue concepts, coupled with the anticipation of festivals and concerts generating over 1000 crores in the next four months, presents a lucrative wave for wedding and event planners. To ride this wave to the next level, planners should focus on several key strategies like incorporating latest trends, technological innovations, building strong network, collaborations, understanding the pulse of the market and investing in talent development, enhancing team skills, and fostering a culture of creativity and adaptability to be precise.
According to Align market research report, the total size of the Event Management business globally by 2028 is expected to be a whooping 1552 billion Dollar business (Approximately One Crore, 25 lakh crores in Indian Rupees). With India being 7th largest country in the world, having 2nd largest consumer population, being fastest growing Asian Economy and 5th largest global economy, it should at the least expect 5 % of the event management business (120th of the business) come to India. That is the size of the Business India is waiting to take in its stride. The Event Management Industry will grow 4.3 X times in the next 5 years” Samit was quoted as saying.
Speaking on the occasion of the Event, Mr. Arvind Jyot Sabhaney, President of KEMA said, “The Event Management fraternity had the privilege of hosting veterans who have been pioneers of Event Management and wedding planning Industry. The big names of the panelists speaks volumes of the fact that the recognition and respect the Industry has earned over the years and also about the commitment of these pioneers to nurturing the next generation of event professionals. This meet aimed at enriching the Events fraternity with invaluable perspectives and exchanges from the pioneers and stakeholders from across the industry.
Mahendra Gangadharan, Vice President of KEMA, expressed, “In the transitional phase following the pandemic, KEMA GBMs represent a pivotal advancement for the event industry. The incorporation of cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality and event-specific apps elevates guest experiences, while efficient management cultivates creativity and encourages innovative thinking. The thought-provoking discussions led by experts and leaders in the Event Management and Wedding Industry significantly enhanced our understanding during the panel sessions. The event was dynamic and impactful, emphasizing the key takeaways of Collaboration, Unity, and Grit. These discussions have empowered the Event Management fraternity, positioning them on the verge of being unstoppable.”
Ms. Anita Makharia, PR and Marketing, KEMA, said, “Bengaluru is a frontrunner in the evolving landscape of the Indian wedding industry. As Bengaluru continues to evolve, it is poised to become one of the most sought-after wedding destinations, attracting couples and families from diverse backgrounds and preferences. ‘Elevating the wedding and events industry’ to the next level requires a holistic strategy. Implementing efficient systems and processes within the industry ensures seamless coordination and flawless execution of events. By capitalizing on market opportunities and fostering collaborations, the industry can showcase India’s rich cultural heritage, contributing significantly to Brand India on a global stage. KEMA has always aimed at broadening the horizons in terms of creativity, collaboration, innovation and networking with one and all present at the event. Learn, Collaborate and Grow has been their mantra and purpose of getting together for the meetings and every conversation and every panel discussion lead to highlighting on working in unison”.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
