Exhibition Industry Lost ADynamic Leader, Wonderful Friend A Compassionate Human Being

As India reels under the second wave of the pandemic, renowned leader of the exhibition industry, Mr. S. Balasubramanian, who was the Executive Director & COO at IMTMA & BIEC, President at Indian Exhibition Industry Association and Secretary at IAEE India Chapter passed away on 10 May, 2021. The untimely loss of Balasubramanian has left the entire industry in shock. No words can explain the irreparable loss and void that he has left behind.

Balasubramanian, who was fondly called “Bala,” is survived by his wife and two sons. He was associated with IMTMA since 2007, headed the trade fairs division which organizes IMTEX and regional machine tool shows across various cities in the country, besides being the COO of BIEC – India ’ s leading green exhibition facility. Prior to joining IMTMA, he had worked with Informa Group, Intech Trade Fairs & Wisitex Foundation. With over 2 decades of experience in the exhibition industry, he had always considered himself a student as he believed that learning never ends. His association of being part of BIEC for 10 years and IMTEX for 50 years were some of the big milestones of his career. He headed IEIA in one of the toughest times for exhibition industry and it was a huge challenge guiding and spearheading the industry during the global pandemic.

In a number of occasions he had expressed his gratitude to IMTMA and IEIA for placing their trust in his work and for the opportunity to serve the exhibition industry. What can we say more about Mr. S. Balasubramaniam, he was a remarkable person, a friend of friends and a great human being who always had a smile on his face. A very loveable person, humane to the core, caring like a big brother and always being there like a true friend and guide. Bala was also a true sportsman at heart who loved to play football. On many occasions he had expressed his love for good food! He spoke informally and openly with all colleagues and was always open to suggestions. He brought out the best in people and lead by example. Bala believed that people, process and planning are the three key pillars to success.

He had an uncanny quality of quietly observing and finding out what one likes to do and would encourage you to do that chosen job. Bala was a workaholic and would usually work for 10 hours daily. He was an early riser and maintained a daily diary of his scheduled tasks any given day. Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI, expressed, “Bala ’ s untimely passing creates a hole in our industry second in size only to the love and devotion he held for exhibitions and the international exhibition community. I rarely met such a kind, warm, and competent person. We have lost a colleague and a friend, and my heart goes out to all those closest to him. ”

In an interview with Exhibition Showcase last year, when he was asked to share his message to the industry, Bala had said, "Exhibition industry is passing through a difficult phase and has seen some big disruptions in terms of revenue. However, at the same time it has thrown up new opportunities to reinvent itself and connect with customers more strongly and closely through technology. This shows that nothing can stop us from moving ahead and break the bond between two human minds. ”

Exhibition Industry Lost A Dynamic Leader, Wonderful Friend & A Compassionate Human Being

A Humble Tribute To Bala

TAAI Appeals To IATA To Waive Annual Fees & Extend Financial Security Deadline

TAAI organised a interactive webinar for its members on Friday, 7th May, 2021 along with IATA on GoLite Accrediatation v/s Standard IATA Travel Agency Accrediation & IATA Easy Pay. Over 250 members attended the session from across India’s 20 Regions & Chapters of TAAI.

IATA-India was represented by Mr. Amitabh Khosla, Mr. Rodney Dcruz and Mr. Ritham Saha who presented the accreditation options available to agencies under the NewGen ISS. The presentation featured comparisions on accreditation models to the members. Due to the pandemic lockdown, travel agents across India were undergoing challenging times on IATA’s stringent and rigid compliances. The comparison shared by IATA on GoStandard v/s GoLite, stated that members opting for GoLite would be exempt from providing to IATA, Financial Statements, Annual Financial Review and Financial Security. The GoLite agents would be required to make payment for its sales on cash and carry basis only from the funds available in its EasyPay account, which are held with two empanelled banks with IATA, being Yes Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in India. Although with no assurance from IATA or any operating airline in India that Ticketing Authority would be made available to all agents. The airline/s reserve their right to allot the same to agents on selective basis. Mrs. Mayal stated that the same has been placed once again in the forthcoming APJC – India meeting for consideration. The Financial Security renewal is scheduled for 30th June, 2021 and this year due to the withdrawl of Iffco Tokio General Insurance from providing extension/renewal of securing the the airlines against agency defaults, the burden of the member travel agents has fallen on the Association to include members into its Joint Bank Gaurantee Program. Agents can also provide their own Bank Gaurantees to IATA but, the banks are asking for over 100% as colateral to provide the same. Over the last two years TAAI has been appealing to MoCA and IATA to rework Financial Security towards protecting the travel agents from Airlines defaults and its suspension of services, which has impacted the travel agents by several hundred crores.

TAAI - President, Mrs. Jyoti Mayal during the interaction has strongly voiced the concern to IATA, to reconsider the extension of Financial Security by one more year and also asked for a waiver in Annual Fees considering the global pandemic. Sales of member agents over the last one year has dropped to less than 5% of the total sales it conducted in financial year 2019-20. Due to the same TAAI too has rebated its members on its annual membership fees.

TAAI and IATA ensured that individual questions of all members present were taken and answered to the satisfaction and clarity of all agents, during the interactive session. Mr. Rodney Dcruz and Mr. Ritam Saha were prompt in answering all queries and acknowledged suggestions put forth. More such interactive sessions and training programs are on the anvil between IATA and TAAI for its members in the coming months.

The Indian Metal Fairs - Wire India, Tube India, METEC India And India Essen Welding & Cutting Have Been Rescheduled To 23 - 25 November 2022

In view of the impending uncertainty during these pandemic times, Messe Düsseldorf India has decided to reschedule the combined events of wire India, Tube India, METEC India and India Essen Cutting & Welding. The event which was originally scheduled from 08 - 10 September 2021 at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, is now scheduled for 23 -25 November 2022, at the same venue.

Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf India, states: “Our objective remains to support the economic recovery by providing a leading platform for conducting businesses safely and effectively at our trade fairs. But the recent development in the pandemic situation does not allow a reliable planning for our trade fairs in India for the next few months. These circumstances make it impossible to hold the Indian Metal Fairs in September 2021. The decision to reschedule the fairs to November 2022 was taken after careful evaluation of the situation together with our partners and key stakeholders. “ With this decision, Messe Düsseldorf India is taking into account its obligations towards its partners of the metal and metallurgy industry sector in India and world-wide. The postponement to a later date will ensure that the event will continue to play its leading role in bringing the global industry stakeholders together once again. “We trust that by 2022 the international travel restrictions will be lifted and we will again see a large international participation given the international nature of our events. We are grateful to all our partners for their continued support in these unprecedented times.

Medical Fair India International Exhibition And Conference In New Delhi Have Been Rescheduled To 07 - 09 April 2022

In view of the impending uncertainty during these pandemic times, Messe Düsseldorf India has decided to reschedule the Medical Fair India edition in New Delhi. The event which was originally scheduled from 19 - 21 August 2021 in New Delhi, is now scheduled for 07-09 April 2022 at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.

Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf India, states: “Our objective remains to support the economic recovery by providing a leading platform for conducting businesses safely and effectively at our trade fairs. But the recent development in the pandemic situation does not allow a reliable planning for our trade fairs in India for the next few months. These circumstances make it impossible to hold Medical Fair India in August 2021. The decision to reschedule the fairs to April 2022 was taken after careful evaluation of the situation together with our partners and key stakeholders.” With this decision, Messe Düsseldorf India is taking into account its obligations towards its partners of the healthcare and Medical industry sector in India and worldwide. The postponement to a later date will ensure that the event will continue to play its leading role in bringing the global industry stakeholders together once again.

The Glass Events – Glasspex India, Glasspro India, Fenestrationpro India Have Been Rescheduled To 03 - 05 March 2022

In view of the impending uncertainty during these pandemic times, Messe Düsseldorf India has decided to reschedule the combined events of glasspex India, glasspro India and fenestrationpro India. The event which was originally scheduled from 23 - 25 September 2021 at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, is now scheduled for 03 -05 March 2022, at the same venue. Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf India, states: “Our objective remains to support the economic recovery by providing a leading platform for conducting businesses safely and effectively at our trade fairs. But the recent development in the pandemic situation does not allow a reliable planning for our trade fairs in India for the next few months. These circumstances make it impossible to hold the Glass Events in India for September 2021. The decision to reschedule the fairs to March 2022 was taken after careful evaluation of the situation together with our partners and key stakeholders.”

With this decision, Messe Düsseldorf India is taking into account its obligations towards its partners of the glass industry in India and world-wide. The postponement to a later date will ensure that the event will continue to play its leading role in bringing the global industry stakeholders together once again.