Industry Leaders Welcome Minister Aaditya Thackeray’s Announcement of an Events Board for the State

by  Mugdha Gaonkar Industry Watch | January 20, 2021 | Feature

Congregations India Summit Aaditya Thackeray Roshan Abbas EEMA Geometry Encompass

At the Congregations India Summit organised by EVENTFAQS Media on December 24, 2020, Aaditya Thackeray, Minister for Tourism, Environment and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, had announced that Maharashtra Tourism is on the verge of forming an ‘Events Board’ for the benefit of the events industry. “We will be forming an Events Board as a platform for everyone to interact with the Government, suggest ways to go ahead and how we can actually incentivise this industry, how we re-build this industry,” the Minister had said. He added that such a body would help attract more events and MICE, and boost the industry’s overall growth.

Aaditya Thackeray speaking at ‘CONGREGATIONS INDIA: Government, Political, Sport & Religious Events Summit’ organised by EVENTFAQs Media on December 24, 2020.

EVENTFAQS Media reached out to industry leaders to get their feedback on the announcement and their expectations from an Events Board, when it materialises. Here is what they had to say:

‘It will be a big boost to our industry, and give us much-needed revenue’
-Roshan Abbas, Managing Director - Geometry Encompass & President, EEMA

“EEMA’s ex-president Sabbas Joseph did mention to me that he had been in constant touch with the Maharashtra Government and that good news was around the corner. We have been interfacing with them since the beginning of the pandemic. In fact, EEMA’s SOPs for safe events were appreciated by the State Government earlier as well. The announcement of an Events Board is a fabulous thing as the world at large needs to understand the power of events in boosting Tourism, commerce and even helping boost the image of a State. The honourable Minister has always been future-focused and it is wonderful to see this happen. It will be a big boost to our industry and give us much-needed revenue. The Maharashtra Government must set a trend and announce some relief for the industry as well as SOPs.”

‘It will be an opportunity to forge partnerships and collaborations to enhance Tourism in the State’
Sushma Gaikwad, Co-founder, Ice Global & Wizcraft MIME

“The ‘Events Board’ is an idea whose time has come. It will surely place India on the global map. Countries and cities across the world that have instituted events boards have seen a marked and positive impact in tourism, cultural and financial well-being. An ‘Events Board’ is important as it provides an opportunity to enhance tourism in a structured format. Moreover, it will certainly enable creative and business opportunity for experiential agencies as it provides an opportunity to forge partnerships and collaborations toward enhancing Tourism in the State. Needless to say, this would impact the financial well-being of the State, while enabling enterprise to flourish in the events and experiential industry. I applaud the current Government of Maharashtra for its foresight, perseverance and dynamic attitude toward making Maharashtra a global destination.”

‘A dedicated board for the events industry will fuel the entertainment ecosystem in the State’
Kunal Khambhati, Head - Live Events & IP, BookMyShow

“BookMyShow wholeheartedly welcomes the Maharashtra Government’s decision to form a dedicated board for the events industry, thus fuelling the entertainment ecosystem in the State. Over the years, we have received tremendous support from the State Government for various global and home-grown live entertainment experiences, and with the formation of this board, we look forward to being able to create and achieve many more industry-firsts together. A timely and much-required move, especially in extraordinary times like these - we hope this will play a defining role in uplifting the sector and bringing much-needed respite to the entire industry. We look forward to working with all our industry peers and partners to bring together safe and secure out-of-home entertainment experiences to all citizens of Maharashtra.”