India’s business events sector is expected to grow to US$103.7 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 13 per cent, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
Medical sciences and technology are expected to be among the key segments driving this growth.
Speaking at the recently-concluded 15th Convention India Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA said both the public and private sectors in India have taken significant steps towards developing the country’s business events ecosystem.
“Despite hosting more than 3,300 meetings over the past 50 years and currently ranking 26th globally, there is significant room for India to increase its share of the global meetings market,” Gopinath said.
He pointed to India’s strong association base as a key advantage for the country. More than 1,138 associations are currently present in India, creating a sizeable pool of potential partners and ambassadors for attracting international conferences and events.
According to Gopinath, this association network can help address one of the key challenges faced by destinations seeking to attract international events which is to identify the right local stakeholders and building connections with international organisers.
He also called for a broader approach to developing the country’s business events sector, arguing that its ambition should extend beyond improving its position in global rankings.
“There is a need to view meetings infrastructure as a strategic national asset alongside digital and climate infrastructure. The destinations that will lead the global business events industry over the next two decades will not necessarily be those with the largest or most established convention centres, but those that invest proactively in inclusive and future-ready meetings infrastructure,” he added.
According to ICCA statistics, the global events industry was valued at US$1.3 trillion in 2025 and is expected to reach US$2.5 trillion by 2035.
