4th New Delhi NCR MICE Forum Puts ESG, AI, Media, and Investment in Spotlight

New Delhi, India – The 4th edition of the New Delhi NCR MICE Forum convened recently at the prestigious Yashobhoomi India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka. Organized with venue operations by Kinexin Convention Management, the event brought together top stakeholders in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem to deliberate on critical themes such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, bridging media and Industry, and avenues for investment in business events.

The forum marked a pivotal dialogue platform for venue operators, exhibition organizers, logistics leaders, sustainability advocates, media representatives, and policymakers. Over 25 delegates participated, including senior executives from PS Bedi Logistics, Kin Productions, R2S Events, IEIA, Exhibition Showcase, ACN Magazine, Sams Snooze At My Space Pvt. Ltd., CMD Business Club, and the Paralympic Committee of India.

ESG Takes Center Stage in MICE Sector: A significant focus of the forum was ESG compliance. This subject has gained traction in India’s corporate landscape following SEBI’s 2022 mandate for the top 1,000 listed companies to file Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reports (BRSRs). The forum’s discussions highlighted how ESG integration in MICE can no longer be optional.

Ted S.G. Kim, Head of Department at Kinexin Convention Management, shared best practices for greening business events through the use of energy-efficient venues, carbon tracking tools, and inclusive hiring practices. He emphasized tracking Scope 3 emissions—particularly relevant to MICE—covering travel, logistics, procurement, and exhibitor participation. A pre-event sustainability checklist and a carbon emissions calculation matrix were unveiled to help organizers align with global standards.

AI & Blockchain: Tools to Elevate ROI and Experience: The forum’s second thematic session explored the transformational role of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain in modernizing exhibitions and conferences. Experts illustrated how AI-driven visitor behavior analytics, smart matchmaking, and lead scoring can enhance both exhibitor ROI and attendee experience.

Phil Chung, CEO of Kinexin Convention Management and the event moderator, explained how blockchain-backed NFT ticketing, verified credential systems, and smart contracts could reduce fraud, increase transparency, and support gamified loyalty programs. Organizers were encouraged to adopt smart ROI models, which utilize AI-powered systems to provide refund or bonus incentives based on lead generation metrics and audience engagement.

Bridging Media and Industry, Unlocking Investment Opportunities: A special session explored synergies between media houses and event organizers to co-create value through strategic communications, SEO tools, and buyer outreach campaigns. Delegates stressed the importance of data-sharing partnerships between media and venues for better targeting and visibility.

The forum concluded with a dynamic brainstorming session on investment opportunities in the business events sector. Participants discussed emerging models, including venture capital, private equity, crowdfunding, and mergers & acquisitions in the exhibitions industry. The growing appeal of India’s MICE infrastructure—exemplified by Yashobhoomi’s LEED-certified sustainable design—was positioned as a ripe ground for institutional and international funding.

Attendees and Stakeholders: Key participants included H.S. Bedi (CEO, PS Bedi Logistics), Rishabh Gautam and Abhishek Shah (Kin Productions), Rajni Aneja (Groworth Financial Consultants LLP), JUNTAE JUNG (Gyeonggi Business Centre, Bengaluru), Nimit Mehta (R2S Events), Arshia Chaudhri (TTGA), Chander Mansharamani (Alpcord), Preeti Upadhyay (Greatplang Edusolution), Sooraj Dhawan (IEIA), Sanjeev K Ahuja (ACN Magazine), and Ravinder Sethi (R.E. Rodgers), among others.

Their collective insights and collaboration pointed to an urgent and exciting transformation underway in India’s MICE sector—toward sustainability, digital innovation, and global competitiveness.

The New Delhi NCR MICE Forum continues to cement its role as a catalyst for future-ready business event strategies in India.