The coming edition of IIGF is going to be remembered as a milestone for the fair and its organizers. It marks the second major turning point for the event after the IIGF was pulled out of Five Star Hotels to be accommodated at the spacious Pragati Maidan. As the reputation and status of the fair increases in the global arena, AEPC is taking the event to the swanky international facilities at Apparel House Gurgaon, which is already the home of more than 200 exporters with permanent showrooms in the complex. Preparations are underway and exporters are participating with eagerness at various open houses being organized to address fears and queries that exporters/ participants may have regarding the new arrangement.
Every change brings with it many new dimensions and the shift in venue is no different. Among the biggest questions being raised is the status of permanent showroom holders who will be an integral part of the fair but may get a disadvantage as the temporary structures are being constructed on the ground floor whereas the showrooms are on the higher floors. Laying rest any such fears, Rakesh Vaid, Chairman, AEPC recently addressed an open house detailing the arrangements being made to ensure that the buyers visited all the showroom holders.
He encouraged the showroom owners to open their showrooms regularly to make the building a thriving business centre. “Apparel House is already gaining popularity as a major cultural centre in Gurgaon similar to Habitat in Delhi and as the recognition increases so will the acceptance of the venue as a permanent showcase for garment exporters,” said Vaid.
Preparations are in full swing and efforts are on to create a venue that will be comparable to the best in the world from infrastructure to stall presentation and hospitality. The organizing core team under the dynamic leadership of Lalit Thukral and vision of Vaid is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that both the participants and visitors are satisfied, while business generated is a record high.
Proper signage, buyer lounge and international communication centres are being set up on every floor to give the buyers a truly international feel. For the first time, IGFA will bring out a ‘Newsletter’ giving the various promotional activities undertaken to promote the fair both in India and outside India, which will be sent to each individual buying house and buyers all over the world.
The organizers are confident that the efforts to involve buying offices in the process will pay dividend, as just having international visitors is not enough to keep the exporters going.
Increased response from international buyers to the coming event is another reason for the organizers to be confident of the success of the new venue for IIGF.
As the D-day approaches, the organizers are keeping busy interacting with participants and buyers to ensure that the shift is not just a one-time effort but also a change for future growth of the industry at large. “The team is working dedicatedly to promote the event and from the response that we are receiving from the international buyers both regular visitors and new retailers is encouraging. Further, as the venue is in Gurgaon the locality of many buying offices we are positive of a good turnout from them also,” concludes Vaid confidently.
