The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) flagged off the 15th Convention India Conclave (CIC) 2026 on 19th August at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. On until 21st August, the event is a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Tourism, Delhi Tourism as Host State Partner, and ITPO as Venue Partner.
Promoted as India’s premier B2B platform for the MICE industry, this year’s Conclave has already secured over 100 exhibition slots, attracting participation from convention centres, hotels, DMCs, PCOs, event companies, corporate entities, and tourism boards. The Hosted Buyer Programme has enlisted over 100 domestic buyers from organisations such as TCS, Cipla, Biocon, Siemens Energy, and ASSOCHAM, alongside international buyers from 18 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the US and Australia.
The three-day agenda commenced on Day 1 with a press conference, ICPB Board Meeting and a well-attended inauguration. Day 2 brings the exhibition opening and knowledge sessions, while the Conclave concludes on Day 3 with B2B Reverse Marketing Meetings and a CEO Meet focusing on MICE policy reform.
Chander Mansharamani, Vice Chairman of ICPB and Chairman of the CIC 2026 Organising Committee, shared with the press that a key policy development was underway in the shape of a proposed conference fund. He explained, “For any state that wants to bid for a conference, the government is creating a conference fund through which 50 per cent of expenses will be borne by the central government and 50 per cent by the state, with certain requirements in place. Also, once the financials are in place, the MDA scheme will be reintroduced too. That is a big win for all of us as far as ICPB is concerned.”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India; Shri Kapil Mishra, Minister of Tourism, Delhi Government; Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA; Jawed Ashraf, IFS, Chairman, ITPO; Sunil Anchipaka, IAS, Managing Director, Delhi Tourism; and Dr Neeraj Kharwal, IAS, Managing Director, ITPO.
During his inaugural address, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat declared Bharat Mandapam as the ideal setting for the Conclave, describing it not merely as a convention centre but as a symbol of India’s growing confidence, capability, and global capacity. Reflecting on the day’s theme, he observed, “For me, innovation is conceptualising and connecting new ideas. It lies in building new partnerships and creating new opportunities. The MICE industry, seen this way, is a huge platform for innovation. When start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and thought leaders come together in one place, all of them are innovators and when so many innovators come together in a convention, a conference or a seminar, they build a new future together.”
Mansharamani reiterated ICPB’s core belief that MICE is not merely an industry but an economic activity. Placing ICPB’s recommendations before the Minister, he called for MICE to be recognised as an export industry, with export services status granted to the International Convention Exhibition. This, he explained, would enable access to export incentives and financial support schemes. He noted that the request had already been raised at a previous meeting with the Union Minister of Tourism, where it was agreed to in principle, and the scheme is hopefully expected to be launched around November. He added that a comprehensive marketing strategy is crucial for fully utilising the existing MICE infrastructure, through targeted global campaigns and participation in trade shows.
