“The New Year heralded the 10th Auto Expo 2010 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Possibly the largest trade and public expo in India, spread over 140,000 square meters with over 2100 participants. A great start to 2010, and hopefully, symptomatic of the rest of the year to follow.
I must express my disappointment, however, at the sorry state of the Pragati Maidan fair ground. My two visits to Auto Expo 2010 saddened me at the dismal condition of the halls and the poor housekeeping of the public areas. Builders rubble and litter festooned the entire complex.
A ray of much needed sunshine could be the new Chairman of the Pragati Maidan, a pleasant and experienced administrator, who displayed immense understanding when I visited him last week. The management have budgeted an expense of over US $ 30 million in the next few months to improve the complex in preparation of the Commonwealth Games this Autumn. Organisers, therefore, could expect better facilities in the future.
India is booming, and there are some great shows expected to be staged in Bangalore, Mumbai and Greater Noida this year. More about them later.”
Prem Behl
Chairman
Exhibitions India Group
Prem raises a very important point here: there is so much potential in India and it has been held back by the challenges of finding the right venue in the right place. Let’s hope he’s right that things are moving in the right direction. In contrast, at CEFCO in Xi’an this week, China’s CCPIT has been talking about the issues of over-capacity there and under-utilisation of so many venues.
Good to hear these news about the car industry in India! green roots!
[…] January 18, 2010 “The New Year heralded the 10th Auto Expo 2010 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Possibly the largest trade and public expo in India, spread over 140,000 square meters with over 2100 participants. A great start to 2010, and hopefully, symptomatic of the r … Continue reading … […]
Thanks Prem.
Will pragati maidan witness a re-build project in the short/mediu, run, or it will be only about improving the current fairground.
Prem has raised hope for the exhibition industry in New Delhi for the near future, if the budgeted funds would really be spent on upgrading the Pragati Maidan complex.
The same improvement should also be implemented at the Bombay Exhibition Centre if the industry were to pick up in Mumbai as well.
Beyond that, facilities owners and operators should also look at making their hiring policies more open and transparent to protect the customers and grow the industry!
Exhibition industry in india is really looking up, which is why some of leading international brands are being launched in india.
Organisers looking at adding value to exhibtors in terms of quality service/ infrastructure for exhibition, perse should look at BIEC.
oh, i’ve been waiting for that since ever