EEMA’s flagship annual convention

The Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) today unveiled its Vision 2030 roadmap at a press conference in Chennai, ahead of EEMAGINE 2026, the association's flagship annual convention. The roadmap comes at a time when India's experience economy is emerging as one of the country's fastest-growing sectors, driven by rising demand for live entertainment, destination weddings, business events, exhibitions and cultural tourism. “Our mission is simple, to position India as the Experience Capital of the World,” said SamitGarg, President, EEMA. “India has always been a land of stories, celebrations and unforgettable experiences. Today, those strengths have evolved into a powerful economic opportunity. The experience economy is no longer just about entertainment, it is driving tourism, entrepreneurship, employment and destination development. Despite representing nearly 18 per cent of the world's population, India accounts for only 2–4 per cent of the global experience economy, highlighting the scale of opportunity before us. ” EEMAGINE 2026, EEMA's flagship annual convention, is scheduled to take place in Chennai from 7–9 August this year at ITC Grand Chola, and the choice of host city is itself part of the Vision 2030 story. According to the association, it was selected not simply as a venue, but because Tamil Nadu already demonstrates, at a state level, the exact transformation Vision 2030 is proposing nationally. Commenting on Chennai hosting EEMAGINE 2026, VinodGopal, Vice President - South, EEMA, said "Hosting EEMAGINE in Chennai for the first time is an important milestone for the region's events ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has the infrastructure, creative talent and cultural depth to host world-class events. By bringing over 800 event professionals, industry leaders and decision-makers to the city, we hope to showcase Chennai's capabilities, foster new collaborations and create long-term opportunities for local businesses and event professionals. Speaking about this year's convention, SiddharthGaneriwala, Founding Member, EEMA said, "EEMAGINE 2026 has been curated as a platform where industry leaders, policymakers and global experts can collectively shape the future of India's experience economy. The convention will focus on business growth, policy, technology, AI, sustainability, talent development and global best practices, while enabling meaningful dialogue on how the industry can scale responsibly and contribute more significantly to India's economic growth.”