EEMA salutes a legend: Lifetime Achievement Award for Rehmatali Tobaccowala

by EVENTFAQS Bureau | Marketing | August 7, 2008 | News

It is often said in industry circles, that Rehmatali Tobaccowala was the individual who created the events industry in India. He is often referred to as the father; of the events industry in India, and has worked with several industry biggies who went on to start off some of the first event management companies in the country. 

Till date, Tobaccowala continues his contribution to the ever-growing event industry as Chairman and MD of the Shobiz Group. EEMA honored this living legend with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the first EEMA convention in Goa on August 4, 2008. A short audiovisual highlighting Tobaccowala;s achievement through the years was shown prior to the felicitation. Michael Menezes, President EEMA, gave away the award to Tobaccowala. 

When asked after the award ceremony on how he felt receiving such recognition from the event industry, Tobaccowala said, ;I am honored to receive such an award from EEMA. It;s so great to see event managers come together under a common platform. This award is my second lifetime achievement (first honored by the Ad Club in 1998) award but it feels great to get one from the event industry. 

Tobaccowala refrained from speaking at the ceremony but allowed his son, Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, Shobiz to, convey his message. Sameer Tobaccowala expressed his gratitude of behalf of his father, and said, ;We would like to thank EEMA for the honor given to him. He has not only been a great visionary, a great leader for all of us and a great boss, but also the greatest father. He has laid the foundation from where I built the company to its present form. 

As a member of EEMA, Sameer Tobaccowala is also very optimistic of the future success of the association. He added, ;The first EEMA convention has been a great success for our industry and we will continue to work hard to make sure that EEMA is a recognized body and a strong representation of our Industry. (Exclusive interview with the legend Rehmatali Tobaccowala, and from the first National Convention in Goa, in the next EVENTFAQS; newsletter)