Mumbai: a business events city on the brink

The opening of Jio World Convention Centre in 2022 undoubtedly sparked curiosity about Mumbai as a destination for large association meetings.

Not long afterwards, the Maharashtra state government decided to make business tourism a priority, recognising the importance and impact of the sector not just for Mumbai, the capital, but across the state. As a result, formation of Maharashtra Convention Bureau is now underway.

Instrumental in this initiative is Sanjay Khandare, the government’s Principal Secretary - Tourism. He says: “We are constantly improving the state’s ability to bid for global conferences and exhibitions, provide professional support to organisers and highlight Maharashtra’s venues, connectivity and hospitality. It’s also a pioneer in the process of forming a state convention bureau. Now other states are following suit.”

The plan is to develop convention centres in public-private partnership models in other cities such as Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Sambhaji Nagar. “A lot of industries are based around these regions,” he explains. “Hosting more international business events will directly increase revenue and contribute to enhancing infrastructure and employment generation across all sectors in tourism, hospitality, event planning, catering and logistics, etc.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai is setting a shining example. Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) is part of the Jio World Centre, a multi-faceted precinct spanning 7.5 hectares in the heart of Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai’s modern CBD. The centre offers immersive experiences as a one-stop destination for business and entertainment alongside a top-class performing and visual arts centre, upmarket shopping plaza and a musical fountain in Dhirubhai Ambani Square. Served by many hotels, it’s not far from metro and railway stations and roughly a 30-minute drive from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

JWCC spreads over 103,000 sqm of flexible floor space, with five expansive modular halls, 27 meeting rooms and lounges, multi-storey concourses, a ballroom, dedicated registration hall and a business centre. The largest pillarless space seats a maximum 8,200 theatre-style. The high-calibre conventions it’s hosted so far are testament the centre’s growing reputation as a luxurious, LEED Platinum-compliant venue offering India’s first 5G-enabled digital infrastructure.

Mumbai boasts prestigious universities and specialist institutes, contributing to its diverse intellectual capital. It’s an important deep-water port and its main industries include financial services, manufacturing (pharmaceuticals, engineering, textiles), IT, shipping, petrochemicals and media/entertainment - it’s the home of Bollywood, often cited as the largest film production centres in the world.

Mumbai’s population is over 20 million and rising. Infrastructure projects continue apace to keep up with the city’s growth, improve road and rail networks and raise living standards in general.

December saw the new Navi Mumbai International Airport begin operations, easing the pressure on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, and plans have been approved for a new high-speed metro link between the two.

Mumbai occupies a peninsular, with water on three sides. Its attractions range from mosques and temples to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Elephanta Caves, both UNESCO world heritage sites, the famous Gateway of India, Marine Drive and Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.

The ingredients are all coming together. Now it’s just a case of watch this space!

Jio World Convention Centre

JWCC can seat thousands

Exhibition hall, JWCC

Mumbai, India map

In the bag

JWCC has some notable events coming up, including the Union of International Architects Forum next year, in India for the first time. Over 3,000 delegates are expected. The five-day event will focus on urban regeneration and include technical visits, city tours and excursions to UNESCO sites.

Vilas Avachat, president of the Indian Institute of Architects, says, “The decision to bid for the Forum was driven by our objective to strengthen our presence internationally and create a larger collaborative platform for our members.” Acknowledging JWCC’s contribution to Mumbai’s rapid climb up the international convention ladder, he adds, “From an architectural perspective, it is a highly competent and strategically designed venue for major events.”

His hopes for the Forum? “If it succeeds in strengthening public awareness of the role of architecture in shaping equitable and sustainable cities, that would be a meaningful and lasting legacy.”

The SICOT 2030 Orthopaedic World Congress is another big win for Mumbai. The bid was presented in Madrid last year by Professor (Dr) Swapnil Keny. “It was prepared through a close and collaborative effort between the local host leadership, senior members of the Indian orthopaedic community and the very helpful and prompt team at JWCC,” he says. “We won despite stiff competition from Hong Kong and Melbourne.”

SICOT has been to India before, in 2013 to Hyderabad. Keny says its return reflects the growing recognition of India’s academic contribution to musculoskeletal science.

He anticipates a strong international and regional participation of around 6,000 at the event which will incorporate a comprehensive scientific and industry exhibition. Of the JWCC he says, “It’s an outstanding and thoughtfully designed venue, offering excellent delegate flow, modern technological facilities and a highly professional operational environment.