NIMA launches i-MICE 2026 in New Delhi.
On September 18, 2026, in New Delhi, the first edition of i-MICE 2026 was organised by the Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA). The goal of NIMA’s recently established annual business forum, i-MICE, is to promote organised, targeted, and superior business-to-business exchanges between premium industry suppliers and MICE buyers in India.
Seventy NIMA member firms, each represented by one delegate, participated in the first edition. They were joined by 16 premium exhibitors, including hotels, DMCs, insurance firms, tourism boards, and related segments, as well as specifically invited buyers from the MICE and travel ecosystem. The Platinum Supplier Partner was GRN Connect.
The Chief Guest during the inaugural ceremony was Shri Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. His participation demonstrated the expanding significance of the MICE industry within India’s tourism and business ecosystem and provided the effort with strong institutional support.
Srivastava stated, “I think India is MICE ready, highlighting the growing importance of MICE. Events of any size and scope can be held at our expansive convention centers, such as Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam, on par with the greatest in the world. We now host conventions with at least 10,000 attendees. The systems are in place, as demonstrated by the G20 and the most recent AI Summit, all we need to do now is work together to secure the position we deserve.”
The new business forum’s vision and goals were presented in its first edition by Rakesh Arora, Chairman of i-MICE 2026 and Founder & Coordinator of NIMA. During the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Guest was recognised by Gajesh Girdhar, the founder and chairman of NIMA’s Governing Council. In order to guarantee smooth communication between suppliers and customers, the NIMA executive team took an active part in the event. NIMA’s National Coordinator, Nitin Mittal, restated the organization’s mission and dedication to building significant platforms that provide members with real business prospects.
Several business executives attended the event, indicating the industry’s support for NIMA’s goal of developing more robust business prospects and a more interconnected MICE ecosystem in India. Prominent guests included Aman Kaushik, founder of Fulcrum Push; Gaurav Khandelwal, vice president of RezLive; Akshay Sharma, vice president of Asego; Vikas Khanduri, CEO of Holiday Merchant and Advisor NIMA; and Subhash Goyal, chairman of Stic Travel Group and patron NIMA.
Considering the Future
Girdhar said, “A new yearly platform for NIMA to link its expanding network of MICE customers with suppliers from Indian and foreign markets was formed by the successful introduction of its first edition, i-MICETM 2026. “This is the first edition of iMICE.” Based on the enthusiastic response, we intend to expand the 2027 edition and make it an annual feature. Because domestic and inbound MICE generates more volume than FIT, it offers a substantial opportunity. Due to the development of new locations and advancements in flight connectivity and infrastructure, corporations and other organisations are becoming more and more eager to hold events in India.”
