INTERVIEWS

Exhibition Showcase Talks To Varun Khare, Business Head, Paytm Insider

The pandemic changed the landscape of the live entertainment space

ES. Could you please tell us about yourself and your role at Paytm Insider? Varun Khare. The live performance space is something I’m extremely passionate about, especially music, theatre and lifestyle IP’s. Over the years I’ve explored various aspects - from working on the blueprint for The Aadyam Theatre Festival to building IPs rooted in culture and even programming homegrown and global talent. But what I truly enjoy is being a part of an industry that creates space for creative expression making comedy, theatre, music, art and culture easily accessible to fans across the country. As the business head at Paytm Insider, I focus my efforts on ensuring we curate and partner with artists, event organisers, venues and brands to offer audiences a varied set of live experiences they can choose from in and around their city. From working with some of the best organisers to create Ips to ticketing some of the biggest sporting events in our country, our goal is always to ensure we offer audiences unique, consistent experiences and a space to connect with their favourite performers. ES. Please tell us about the journey and significant milestones Paytm Insider has reached over the years and how it has

been in the forefront when it comes to creative content production, concepts, and implementation?

Varun Khare. 2019 was a milestone year for us having curated and/or ticketed some of the country’s biggest live experiences on our platform - Arijit Singh’s One Night Only, Supermoon Ft. Russell Peters Deported World Tour, Prateek Kuhad’s Winter Tour, The 10th Edition of the Bacardi NH7 Weekender, Zomaland - the biggest food festival in India including a list of sporting events and the IPL Cricket Series.

In 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic, live events were paused and we used this time to reinvent event formats as we focused on further building the platform to include digital event formats thus creating a space where audiences could connect online and creators could reach their fans through virtual events. Creating a digital stage to host events, workshops and conferences was only the first step, we then took it a step further to improve the digital event going experience - introducing interactive features like watch parties, spotlight videos, QnA, polls, live chats which kept audiences engaged and made it a fun interactive virtual experience. Even though live events are back now, digital formats continue to exist in varied formats like hybrid events, metaverse experiences, watchalongs with experts, community meet ups making content accessible globally and still giving artists the opportunity to place their digital content behind a paywall.

This year is another milestone year for us. With the revival of live events we’re seeing a phenomenal interest from audiences across cities who are keen to explore live performances, comedy shows, lifestyle festivals and more. With the upcoming multi-city concerts by Arijit Singh, the revival of The Mahindra Independence Rock Festival, a multi-city tour by Peter Cat Recording Co, Zomaland, Gin Explorers Club, India Cocktail Week, Lil Flea and the return of sports like the Indian Super League, Pro Kabaddi League including a whole lot of comedy ahead, we’re positive that our event season and the end of 2022 will be another milestone for us.

ES. Since the pandemic and the restrictions that came with it temporarily put an end to real world events, what role does your organization play now that physical events have resumed?

Varun Khare. The pandemic changed the landscape of the live entertainment space, but even though physical events are back, digital formats will continue to exist through online communities, watchalongs and hybrid formats. As a company our role is to acknowledge that Covid is still around and be cognitive of the role we play in events ensuring that safety, hygiene and availability of emergency services are prioritised while also working on including more experiential elements that ensure a seamless and memorable experience for all attendees.

ES. In your opinion, what are some of the interactive features that make Paytm Insider stand out?

Varun Khare. We have an end-to-end digital product that enables a great deal of interaction across virtual event formats. Event organisers can choose to set up various interactive features like live chat, QnA, polls, private watch parties including bringing audience members on stage during a digital event. With all these interactive features integrated on the platform, organisers have the flexibility to work them into their event formats keeping the audience engaged throughout the show.

Our complete DIY platform gives artists complete control over their event, with a fully equipped backend that enables them to moderate and manage their digital events seamlessly. Onground as well our teams are equipped to seamlessly manage various aspects like F&B with tech integrated products like RFID cards that makes it a smooth process for fans.

ES. What difficulties arise when planning online concerts?

Varun Khare. When planning online concerts there are a number of factors to consider for example securing the right set of licences, ensuring you have worked out any technical hiccups to be able to live stream seamlessly and also chalking out ways to introduce interactive features like live chats, two way communication, polls and watch parties that help you keep your audience engaged throughout the show.

ES. What has your marketing approach for online events been?

Varun Khare.

We ’ ve focused on making the discovery process for users on the platform a lot more intuitive, helping them explore new talent & experiences across a varied range of genres they ’d enjoy. During the pandemic with online events our approach has been to expand our reach beyond just key Tier 1 cities and focus on growing audiences in smaller Tier 2 cities too. Post the pandemic when comedians and artists started to tour again, we witnessed an increased interest from fans in smaller Tier 2 cities with shows selling out within a day and a second show being added in the same day.

ES. Are live digital shows sustainable in the long run? What are your thoughts on Hybrid event?

Varun Khare. We

’ ve seen a fair deal of success with the various formats of digital shows we ’ ve hosted, curated & produced, however the event format may vary and we ’ll see hybrid formats or online communities that encourage discussions, fanclubs including meet and greets and more importantly it will serve as a space where artists can upload pre-recorded content and make it accessible to their fans after a show or tour. I think hybrid event formats will coexist with live events, however it’s important that brands and event organisers invest in the right technology and equipment to ensure the experience is memorable and interactive for fans online.

ES. What is the best part of your job?

Varun Khare. The ability to manage so many different aspects of putting together a live experience with multiple event organisers across so many regions & languages. Working with organisers from the conceptual phase to the programming, production, ticketing, connecting brands with the right event organisers for sponsorships to finally watching the show or tour come together with fans singing along and cheering their favourite artists on stage. It’ s not only about making these experiences easily accessible to fans but also ensuring that we continuously push the boundaries in adding experiential elements that make it a memorable experience.

ES. What is one of the hardest challenges that you ’ ve come up against and what did it teach you?

Varun Khare. The hardest challenge was during the pandemic when we had to adapt and think ahead in the midst of a whole lot of uncertainty. It’s been a journey of experimenting, listening to what artists and fans wanted most and then doing our best to integrate it onto the platform. The biggest lesson the pandemic taught us was to keep the audience and artist experience at the centre of everything we do ensuring we ’ re continuously improving elements, tweaking features, failing fast but recovering quickly.

ES. What message would you like to share with the industry?

Varun Khare. The live event space especially over the next couple of months is packed with varied live formats across music,comedy, travel,lifestyle festivals and sports. As we work together as partners, event organisers and artists it’ s important that we put our audiences at the centre of what we do, going the extra mile to create and continuously improve the event going experience while working seamlessly together as partners to ensure the events are a success..

In Conversation With Yancy Weinrich, President North America, CloserStill Media

ES. Please give a brief overview of your background and your role in the company.

Yancy Weinrich. I started at Reed exhibitions 18 years ago in sales on the jewelry portfolio, and prior to joining Reed, I was actually an Exhibitor at one of the RX jewelry shows. During my time at Reed, I rose up through the company to take on more shows including the golf portfolio, then the optical portfolio, and from there I was promoted to Chief Growth Officer where I oversaw all 40 b2b U.S. events (prepandemic). I was ultimately responsible for the strategy, structure, delivery, sales, marketing, and digital, to get us through the pandemic . . .so much fun and what a learning experience!

I was appointed President, North America for CloserStill in May of this year, and my role is to grow the North American business through organic growth, launches and acquisitions over the next 24-36 months. I see CloserStill as an organizer with a huge opportunity for growth in the US Market, and I was up for a new challenge. I really related well with the founders and CEO. There is a very nice balance of traditional event fundamentals with a vision for the future to become the leading events for the communities that we serve.

ES. What were the past experiences, achievement or lessons that shaped your journey as a successful leader in this industry?

Yancy Weinrich. Before coming to the trade show side, I worked for a non-profit in the jewelry industry, in which we were an exhibitor at many trade shows around the world. I like to think that I am able to put myself in the customers’ shoes and understand their pain points, as I have ‘been on that side of the aisle’. This helps me with developing strategy, and also I have learned that if you just listen to your customers, for the most part, they will give you the roadmap forward to solve for their needs.

ES. The Exhibition industry, like the rest of the world, has seen a lot of change in a short period of time. What are the most significant changes you've witnessed during your time in the industry?

Yancy Weinrich. Well, if we ever had doubts that face to face was going away, and could be replaced by digital, the pandemic firmly secured in our minds that face to face is here to stay. For the small to medium sized businesses that participate in trade shows, many of them invest the majority of their marketing dollars with us in the tradeshow industry. Our face to face events have proven to be a critical part of the selling strategy for our customers.

ES. What kind of an overall impact do your shows make on their respective industries?

Yancy Weinrich. Our shows at CloserStill have an intentional design and format – to maximize our customers time through shorter date patterns (2-3 days), while providing content at an affordable price. We are making a difference in our industries through knowing our customers and understanding what they want as we come out of the pandemic. People have re-prioritized their work and lives, and while traveling to a show is very important for their business, they may not want to spend a week away from home any longer. We are very good at understanding the niche’s and exploiting them in our communities that we serve.

ES. What are your upcoming plans in regards to your shows in 2022 and ahead? What are some major events organised by CloserStill Media? Yancy Weinrich. Our portfolio includes some of the fastest growing, and often award winning, events including the London Vet Show, loud Expo Europe, Data Centre World, DevLearn, The Pharmacy Show, Learning Technologies and the Dentistry Show. We are very specialized and deliberate in our verticals of healthcare (human and animal), tech and learning. ES. Could you please share your experience from your recent shows with us?

Yancy Weinrich. We, like many organizers, have seen our shows come back very strong. Buyers with serious interest, people that want to meet face to face with their suppliers, and the networking and experiential elements of the show have been very successful. While our attendance is not at 2019 levels (we are at about 75-80%), we have seen that those that are visiting our shows are serious about being there, and our exhibitors are having very good shows. ES. What are the top three major challenges surrounding the industry? Yancy Weinrich. Talent acquisition and retention, recession proofing our businesses, and inflation and how that is affecting travel costs and policies for our customers. ES. What is your leadership style? What according to you are your strong points? Yancy Weinrich. I am fair, honest, yet firm. I layer that with, what I believe are even more important qualities, and that is empathy and building trust. Culture is very important to me, and I believe in creating a culture where our people can show up as their authentic selves, and feel like they are at a place to work where others ‘look like them’.

ES. On another note, what do you enjoy the most about your work?

Yancy Weinrich. Our industry also has a strong element of fun, and to see our new folks attend their first event and their eyes light up, and their confidence build, as they have seen what they worked on so hard for months, come to life, gives me a real sense of pride. I am also an entrepreneur at heart, so I thrive on helping our customers build their businesses, and like to believe our shows serve a real purpose in helping them achieve their goals and objectives. ES. Please share your hobbies, what keeps you busy when you are away from work? Yancy Weinrich. I love to play golf and tennis. I am into yoga, reading and anything that keeps me busy and moving - I can’t sit still. I have a young adult daughter who lives in Hawaii, so visiting and spending time with her is a real treat as well!

ES. What would be your message to the industry? Yancy Weinrich. We have grown and become stronger, we have pivoted faster than we ever thought we could as we faced the pandemic. We experimented, we learned, we failed, and we confirmed how important face to face is for our customers and communities that we serve. I believe we are in a better position to take on whatever comes our way next!

In Conversation With Vertica Dvivedi Founder - WADE ASIA & Director MATECIA EXHIBITION

Vertica Dvivedi is a first generation entrepreneur who came to Delhi with a backpack and a mind full of dreams. Apart from personal struggles, she faced tremendous career struggles. Her first achievement in Delhi was to buy her own computer and take a rented room which was office in the daytime and home at night. There was no looking back since then.

ES. Please take us through your professional journey since inception and some major milestone achieved over the years.

Vertica Dvivedi. Today people tag me with different names, "Award-winning entrepreneur, exhibition organizer, publisher, speaker, community builder for women in design & architecture, Asia Book of record holder for water initiative... and more.”

Sounds fancy but I am none of these.

I came to Delhi in the last decade with a backpack and a few hundred rupees to pursue my dream. My dream was two folds, one for family and another for myself. Personal life was a little more chaotic than the professional side. After the unfortunate death of parents, I was the sole caretaker of my three younger sisters and a brother. Coming from a well educated family, I knew the value of education and was ready to do my best to impart best education for myself and the little ones. People told me I was going after an impossible aim but I was undeterred in my purpose. As I see my life then from today's perspective, I feel how crazy I was. Without any clue about how life is, I jumped into the ocean and started to learn swimming while I was actually drowning. It was tough, very tough. But then, I also can see that, when there is no way, looking forward is the only way.

Before father's death, he had told me one thing which stayed with me to guide me. "Do not trust anyone who tells you what you can do or cannot. They see things from their perspectives."

Being very good in designing and copywriting, I started as a working partner with a company with no salary for several months in exchange of using their computer for doing my own work during non-working hours. For me, there was no difference between days and nights. Food and sleep didn't matter either. The day I bought my own computer was like winning a war. I celebrated for days. Whatever our situation, I never allowed anyone to pity me or my siblings. We lived with great pride, dignity, happiness and continue to do the same even today. One of my sisters, Madhurima is my biggest strength in creating & executing the concept of WADE ASIA and WADE Sisters.

Around that time, I met another person who was quite like me - equally crazy and full of dreams. He was in a job but wanted to start a magazine that can share knowledge to organize the heavily unorganized plywood industry. He had no money and whoever he approached for this project, turned him away. The person is Mr Pragath Dvivedi, my partner at work and in life. I saw a good purpose behind his mission and we began the Startup. Ply Reporter magazine was born. Today, I feel good to see how startups are respected, in fact, celebrated. To us, people used to warn, "You people can easily get good jobs. Why are you wasting your time in this? One day you will realize and that time it will be too late.”

Our time began!

There was no looking back since then. We were doing what we loved. Even today, we are doing what we love, to add value to others' businesses and to contribute in knowledge and connections. From my boutique design agency to Ply Reporter, we started SURFACES REPORTER which had sown the seed for WADE ASIA to

India Interior Retailing to MATECIA EXHIBITION.

ES. In what ways you have made your show stand out from the crowd. What were the highlights of your show held recently at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi?

Vertica Dvivedi. MATECIA EXHIBITION is for building products and interior, architecture industry. Since 2017, MATECIA has grown from 9000 to 250000+ sqft. We are delighted with the massive footfall from all over India and 16 other countries. This was our first exhibition at Pragati Maidan. What is more encouraging is to get rebooking requests from more than 80% exhibitors. We are truly humbled by this experience. For 2022 edition, we did nothing special or different. It was an extension of what we already do in our daily business. I would definitely give credit to the two decades of work done by the magazines Surfaces Reporter and Ply Reporter.

The highlights of MATECIA EXHIBITION were: Ÿ Surfaces Reporter ’ s product innovation zone where the magazine showcases best of the best from its one year of research Ÿ Architecture Awards – WADE ASIA is world’s largest platform for women in design. In its 7th year, designers flocked from across the country to celebrate this. Ÿ Design Conference – Known for great content, designers aspire to be part of SR and WADE conference Ÿ Retailer ’s Conference – Mr Pragath Dvivedi leads the Ply

Reporter ’s Retailing conference and knowledge sessions Ÿ Architects came from Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh and

Mumbai to run material workshops at MATECIA

EXHIBITION Ÿ Visitors from 16 countries and almost all corners of India visited MATECIA EXHIBITION. One of the key highlight was to question and change the perception of a

National Large Scale Exhibition in Delhi for Building

Products industry. ES. Please tell us about the steps your organisation has done to promote women ' s empowerment through your shows. In addition to the main attractions, what activities were undertaken during the three-day exhibition?

Vertica Dvivedi. We created WADE ASIA, the platform for women in interior design, architecture, art, engineering and construction.

Objectives of WADE ASIA:

Ÿ Ensuring visibility of Women-led projects Ÿ Bridging Mentorship between Leading & Aspiring

Designers Ÿ Standing by those who want to come back to the profession after a break Ÿ Encouraging Sharing & Learning through Research Ÿ Celebrating the Life, Work & Achievements of Women

Architects, Artists & Designers Ÿ Rewards & Recognition through WADE Awards

Since 2016, WADE ASIA is tirelessly documenting the work of women in design and recognizing their contribution.

ES. How do you see the resumption of trade shows restoring people ' s confidence? Could you tell us about the current state of trade shows in India?

Vertica Dvivedi. Trade shows are back with a bang. If we look at pre and post covid scenario, I can see that the shows are receiving more serious visitors and the use of technology is growing at a fast pace. If we look at India, I can see that we are getting ready to host the world and the world of opportunities. However, the infrastructure, seamless execution, resources and mindset for flawless services, needs a lot of work and attention and here ’ s where we as an industry need to focus.

ES. The exhibitions and events industry, like the rest of the world, has seen a lot of change in a short period of time. What are the most significant changes you ' ve witnessed during your time in the industry?

Vertica Dvivedi. Use of technology Ÿ Collaborations Ÿ Insurmountable rise of Social Media Ÿ The growth of niche shows ES. What is your leadership style? What according to you are your strong points? Vertica Dvivedi. My leadership style is to be at the forefront and to lead by action. The ability to take risks and being tickled by challenges are some of my strong suits. ES. How do you manage your professional and personal life? How do you cope with multi-tasking and stressful situations? We would like to know, what keeps you busy when you are away from work? Vertica Dvivedi. As most of my fellow organizers would agree that, there is hardly any set boundary between professional and personal life. We have to create and recreate the line time and again. I am known to be a heavy duty multi-tasker but I would like to share my mind here. Multi-tasking is a big myth. We all can do only one thing at a time. It is the ability to shuffle between them that makes one stand apart from another. My life and situations have grinded me enough to shuffle seamlessly between tasks. It is as simple as changing gears as per the road and speed. When I am not at work, you will find Vertica Dvivedi doing either of these activities: Singing, Photography or Guitar. ES. What would you say to the industry if you had one message and one piece of advice to give? Vertica Dvivedi. I am no one to advice them. I would say, I am eager to meet you all and to learn from each one of you.

Award-winning entrepreneur, exhibition organizer, publisher, speaker, community builder for women in design & architecture, Asia Book of record holder for water initiative

Ÿ Founder, WADE ASIA

Women in Architecture &

Design Ÿ Director, MATECIA EXHIBITION, Bigsea Marcom

India Pvt Ltd Ÿ Publisher, Surfaces Reporter magazine Ÿ Chairperson, WADE FOUNDATION

Vertica Dvivedi is a first generation entrepreneur who came to Delhi with a backpack and a mind full of dreams. Apart from personal struggles, she faced tremendous career struggles. Her first achievement in Delhi was to buy her own computer and take a rented room which was office in the daytime and home at night. There was no looking back since then.

A story of her early life was published by Jack Canfield in “Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul at Work” from the house of Westland Publishing. Once Economic Times wrote, “Vertica Dvivedi believes, mad unwavering passion is what makes things happen.” She delivered one success after another starting from her boutique design firm to SURFACES REPORTER® magazine, to WADE ASIA, Wade Foundation and MATECIA EXHIBITION. Every entity adopted unconventional ways to deliver the objectives. “No one can make me work for a minute if my work is not serving any good or greater purpose,” says Vertica Dvivedi.

MATECIA EXHIBITION achieved roaring success in 2022 with massive footfall and more than 90% retention of exhibitors. WADE ASIA is the undisputed world’s largest platform for Women in Design, Architecture and Construction. 1500+ Designers compete through projects for 25 categories annually. 35000+ women are connected with WADE ASIA worldwide.

Vertica Dvivedi’s work is awarded by several organizations including ASSOCHAM, Delhi Management Association, BMW Duestshe Motoron, COWE, and more. She was awarded ASIA BOOK OF RECORD medal for creating a world record in mobilizing women power and creation of World's Largest W shape on ground. It was a massive campaign for water awareness that she led and executed through WADE FOUNDATION in 2019. One of her favorite moments was to speak to the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. As a speaker, she talks about entrepreneurship, startups, architecture & design, and women in leadership roles. She was a speaker at NIFT Delhi, India Water Week by Ministry of Jal Shakti, JK Business School Gurugram, KKC Lucknow, Anna Adarsh College Chennai and more.

She has been covered by media including Aaj Tak, Zee News, Economic Times, Dainik Jagran. Her last education was Senior Management study from IIM Calcutta.

Verca Dvivedi

Interview With Naveen Seth, Assistant Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce and industry

ES. Your association with this industry traces back to decades ago. How has been your journey and how have you witnessed this industry change / evolve during these years/Pre-covid and Post-covid?

Naveen Seth. It is imperative to say that the world as started adopting the new-normal environment. Yes, changes have been vast when it comes to the standard event practices in the Pre-Covid Era. To state a few

The pandemic has accelerated changes in consumer behavior in terms of using a digital service.

Ÿ Almost everything moved virtual and will remain hybrid Ÿ Now hygiene Standards are Second to none Ÿ The catering business has led to Intelligent and safe

Catering Ÿ Event Organisers attention shifted to smaller regional events. Ÿ Technology replaced traditional face-to-face elements Ÿ The Content became king and has acted as the need of the hour Ÿ The traditional networking transformed to Curated

Networking Ÿ Restriction in number of delegates for safe execution Ÿ There is no second to absolute delivery, but the only one

ES. The Covid-19 pandemic has left its impact on all sectors of the economy but nowhere is the hurt as much as the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) of India. How is the Indian Industry performing currently? How have the shutdown of exhibitions impacted Indian Industry?

Naveen Seth. It is important to know that there is always a new day and a new start. Situation would not remain the same. Yes, situation went bad to worse in more than one way during the Covid 19 pandemic but it failed to stop budding entrepreneurs to develop new business ideas. Currently, we have seen huge signs of improvement in the Indian industry. With the current reputation of Chinese market, India is emerging as the next significant alternative for all the products and services. As far as the Shut-down of exhibition is concerned, industry has definitely missed the un-parallel opportunity that it offers.

Exhibition is not only a great source of revenue generations but it provides a platform to have a continued interface. We are very hopeful that in the coming months, when the things settle down and are conducive to hold physical exhibitions and conference, it will once again lead to a great start and will bounce back in a big way. All I can say for now that we are very hopeful to harp on the paradigm shift favouring Indian MSMEs.

ES. What according to you would be the fate of Indian Exhibition Industry? As a macro play, do you think the fortuity of having bright future for India ’ s exhibition industry awaits in months to come? If yes, What are the opportunities or bright spots in the Indian Exhibition Industry?

Naveen Seth. It is important to note that the exhibition industry has been adversely impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. The collective loss to the industry globally runs

into billions of dollars. Exhibition industry needs to constantly evolve and add value to its customers. It is necessary to keep the exhibitors engaged and also provide them platforms and opportunities to connect with their clients’ in-order to keep the business ongoing and the digital space has come to the rescue which has enabled the exhibition organisers through virtual shows. Global deals demand organized exhibition industry at every place. The exhibition sector in India is facing huge challenges which are hampering its growth. As a result its true potential has not been realized and the sector is unable to contribute as much as it can.

The developed economies have gained an edge over developing economies due to strong hand in exhibition Industry. I really hope and pray that we can get back to normal as soon as possible. At the time when we have excellent exhibition space newly built in Delhi and also in Mumbai, this is the time to grow. Undoubtedly India will be one market which the world is eyeing on. ES. There is a paradigm shift in the way an exhibition is conceived and further executed. Now that exhibitions are transforming into hybrid formats, what would the new challenges for a show organizer? Naveen Seth. The first quarter of 2020 placed the event industry in an unprecedented situation. Initially when the things that were thought to be a gimmick or an expensive addon started to be reconsidered as a way to adapt to the new ways events need to happen with the size of all gatherings, events, and travels. If you ask any event professional on the biggest trend this year, it will be undisputed answer - Virtual Events. As event planners, we are all eager to get back to planning physical, in-person events. Opportunely now, with things easing up, the value brought by the Virtual Events is slowly re-introduced to the scaled-back physical events, creating a new and exciting Hybrid way of doing things. There are many reasons which may affect our pricing strategy due to the fact that you are hosting a hybrid event which means you’re running one event with two separate experiences, so being able to accommodate both audiences can be tricky. It is true that the content may be the same for both audiences; the way you present it would be completely different. ES. What trends do you expect to see in the next few years that will influence the exhibition industry? Are you planning differently for this year? Naveen Seth. The year 2020, forced almost all exhibitions to close their doors and leave the huge exhibitions halls empty. A huge chunk of revenue for the industry was brought to a shuddering halt. The effects of the crash spread everywhere, and beyond the exhibiting companies themselves. For every exhibition cancelled an army of supporters fell with it: hoteliers, taxi drivers, exhibition staff, catering staff, public transport, airlines, printing companies and on and on. On the other hand, the benefits of using virtual trade show technology is the amount of data it can capture. Starting from client registration online the flow of intelligence begins. That data is then captured in a format that can be sliced and diced to lend itself to all kinds of business intelligence analysis. In the era of Big Data, this is a huge asset for any forwardthinking company. To be honest, it is not always easy in a real-life conference setting to gather that level of intelligence. We are however planning to go ahead with Hybrid event format so that, if God forbid the restrictions are imposed again, we could at least deliver the virtual version of the exhibition.

ES. Adaptability is now a mandatory business competency. In this Covid-era, while every crisis has its learning’s, what are yours? Naveen Seth. The global spread of COVID-19 brought trade shows and exhibitions to a screeching halt in early 2020, with large cancelations of major exhibitions and conference around the world. This was indeed disheartening for event professionals. This situation gave birth to number of companies out there that can help organizations take their shows to the virtual level. This has also given an alternate option for event organisers to explore and take the advantage of the virtual platform where international participants can join with ease with the hassle of spending heavy on travel and stay. So we have taken this to our advantage and look forward to make the best use of the Hybrid format. ES. Our curiosity could not stop us from asking you that what keeps you busy when you are away from work? Please tell us about your hobbies, sports and other activities that you would love to do at home.

Naveen Seth. This is something that I still allure myself asking over and over again – What makes me happy other than living with exhibitions? This era of pandemic gave us all some meaningful time to dig deep and explore our self. And I can clearly say, and most of us agree, that spending time with family, meeting our dear one (read human interface) has become a predominant factor in our life. Traveling “for leisure” Cycling and cooking is something that I have woven into my life, for a me time!