Gifts World Expo is the country’s biggest exhibition on gifting and promotional solutions and is an annual hallmark event that sets the stage for unparalleled business opportunities in the gifting industry. Organized by MEX Exhibitions, the expo has become a pivotal platform for industry professionals, fostering innovation, creativity, and strategic partnerships across diverse sectors.
Every year, the expo features prominent international brands and covers a wide spectrum of gifting categories, including customised gifts & B2B gifting solutions, awards & rewards along with a spectrum of promotional products, beauty, health & wellness gifts, gourmet hampers, electronic gadgets & home appliances, handicrafts, home décor & furnishings, and more.
This year, the 25th edition of the Gifts World Expo took place from 25 to 27 July, 2024 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions, an industry maven, guides and directs her team in organising some of the best-known trade shows in India, including Gartex Texprocess India, LED Expo Thailand and Gifts World Expo. In an exclusive chat with Everything Experiential, she speaks about the evolution of the Gifts World Expo over the previous editions, creating memorable and unique experiences for attendees, tech innovations, sustainability and more.
Edited excerpts:
The Gifts World Expo has seen quite an evolution as an event in these 25 years. How would you describe this journey and what are the landmark and turning point changes that have made it the significant event that it is today?
Over the past 20 years, the Gifts World Expo has undergone a remarkable evolution, establishing itself as a premier event in the industry. Initially, the expo started as a modest gathering, aimed at bringing together elementary corporate giftings like desktop accessories calendars diaries and pens and small businesses together with the early years being focused on fostering community connections and providing a platform for emerging businesses. Even during the pandemic, when the world was secluded in their homes, Gifts World Expo had an online showcase of innovation and trends, with the exhibition thriving despite all odds.
Over the years, I feel we have grown, expanded our reach and achieved milestones by expanding our categories with newer brands from various sectors being onboarded, and one of our landmark achievements was borne with the advent of personalised gifting as a concept where we started highlighting different segments catering to personalised gifting; not just corporate but festive and celebratory as well not to mention, we established a strong foothold among various stakeholders in sync with emerging marketing trends and an increase in the economy buoyed by the gifting sector.
Furthermore, the digital revolution brought in a transformative phase and also educated the masses on sustainability which opened various avenues of significant growth for us. Today we are proud to share that the Gifts World Expo has more than 600 exhibitors showcasing 3500 established brands associated with it and gathers quality buyers who are focused towards B2B meetings; a first in India’s gifting industry.
How has this edition of the Gifts Expo been unique and distinct from its previous editions – not only in terms of new launches but also in terms of providing memorable consumer experiences?
Gifts Expo was originally conceived as a platform for educating both the industry and the public about all things related to gifting, and in furtherance to that, we introduced Gift Talks, a three-day conference on all things related to gifting and the gifting industry.
This edition’s conference brought together industry experts and tech enthusiasts to explore the evolving role of technology in the gifting industry. Discussions were held on various topics including automated business ecosystems, AI-powered personalisation, immersive AR experiences, mobile app influences, eco-friendly sustainable gifting products, gifting trends, gift packaging and the need for gifting industry professionals to connect with corporate event planners and wedding planners with esteemed speakers participating in dialogue and sharing their insights on such subjects.
This year we chose to spotlight sustainable gifting and eco-conscious consumerism at the expo in sync with changing consumer preferences with the unveiling of our Sustainable Products Zone. All talked about their sustainable journey from sustainable raw materials to sustainable processes to the end sustainable product, Various brands participated and showcased their products with some brands launching innovatively designed and well-thought offerings.
Renowned for its sensorial botanical formulations using rare and exotic ingredients, Vinci introduced an elegant line of gift boxes in various sizes and combinations designed to offer a luxurious and holistic gifting experience which includes items from their haircare and bodycare collections including two exquisite fragrances.
William Penn introduced a series of products under the brand Sheaffer, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation in fine writing instruments with the likes of calligraphy pens, ink pens, diamond-embellished and interestingly enough, coffee-scented pens (which would pens not only have a coffee-coloured body but also emit the aroma of coffee, offering a delightful sensory experience).
Aquaminder launched its innovative range of smart sippers and tumblers. Available in both standard and larger versions, these are designed to promote regular hydration through timely reminders. As India's first smart drinkware brand, Aquaminder aims to make healthy hydration effortless and accessible with its premium, tech-enabled designs.
These additions to the expo not only showcased innovation but also catered to the increasing demand for premium and thoughtful gifts.
Moreover, to enhance visitors' experiences we introduced many new zones like cotton candy, golf, spin the wheel, and much more for buyer recreation and entertainment besides the busy show floor and knowledge sessions. These zones provided a place to relax and unwind from the massive showcase. We focussed on uplifting and growth of the industry with our start-up and innovation zone, providing an opportunity for budding ventures to showcase their products at a relatively affordable rate and stand and create a market for their products amongst top brands. On the other hand, the trends zone provided a chance for exhibitors to put their products at the forefront where buyers could locate their way to their booth easily, in addition to a VIP lounge and Business Meeting Lounge that was set up to facilitate easy meetings and profitable deals.
What kind of revenue and footfall has the Gifts Expo generated in this edition? What kind of footfall numbers are you looking at generating in the editions to come?
For this year’s expo, we expected a total footfall of around 30,000. We received a total footfall of 31,495 with 7,464 people attending on the first day of the expo, 11,676 on the second day and 12,355 on the concluding day.
Our next edition this year is scheduled for August in Bangalore, where we are expecting a total footfall of 10,000, while the edition after that will be held next year in April in Kolkata, where we hope to expect a footfall of 8,000.
There were quite a few firsts in this year’s Gifts Expo - Trending Products Showcase, the Stationery Pavilion, and the Start-up and Innovation Zone. How successful have each of these new unveils at this year’s expo been – if you could please share numbers?
This year's expo saw the unveiling of new attractions like the Start-Up Innovation Zone, which showcased cutting-edge products and innovations from visionary entrepreneurs. The Trending Products Showcase was situated at the entrance and displayed the latest in gifting solutions, the Sustainable Products Zone featured eco-friendly options ideal for corporate gifts, the Stationery Pavilion presented the newest trends in office supplies, and the Entertainment Zone provided interactive gaming, and treats, and photo opportunities, The sustainable zone and trending products zone gave visitors an overview of the latest trends and where to find particular booths. The stationery pavilion provided easy access to all the stationery and office supplies brands close by whereas, the photo booth, entertainment zone and sweet treat cafe became a hub for business professionals to unwind after the day of business activities. Making all these new unveils was a major success.
All these exclusive attractions garnered massive success from visitors and exhibitors alike, enhancing the consumer and attendees’ experiences at the exhibition.
Tech innovations have seeped into every category and industry. How, according to you, are AI, AR, VR and other technological innovations revolutionizing the gifting industry as well as the exhibition industry?
Technologies like AI, AR, and VR are profoundly transforming the gifting and exhibition industries, creating new possibilities and enhancing both consumer experiences and business operations.
For the gifting industry:
● AI algorithms analyse consumer behaviour, preferences, and past purchases to offer highly personalised gift suggestions. Platforms can provide tailored recommendations, increasing the likelihood of finding the perfect gift. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are improving customer service by providing instant responses, handling inquiries, and assisting with gift selection, thereby enhancing the shopping experience, not to mention the help provided to businesses in predicting trends and demand, allowing for better inventory management and targeted marketing strategies.
● AR technology allows customers to virtually try on items like clothing, accessories, or even makeup before purchasing. This feature enhances the shopping experience, especially for personalised gifts. It can transform traditional gift packaging into an interactive experience and an app employing AR can let users visualise how certain gifts will look in real-world settings, such as home decor items, making it easier to make decisions.
● VR creates immersive shopping environments where users can explore virtual stores, view products in 3D, and interact with virtual gift displays, offering a novel and engaging way to shop. It enables the creation of virtual experiences as gifts, such as virtual travel tours or online events, adding a unique and memorable dimension to gifting.
For the exhibition industry:
● AI tools analyse attendee data to provide insights into visitor behaviour, preferences, and engagement. This data helps exhibitors optimise their booths and tailor their presentations to attract and engage visitors. AI-driven matchmaking systems facilitate connections between attendees, exhibitors, and potential clients by analysing profiles and suggesting relevant contacts and meetings. AI can also generate content for exhibits, such as dynamic presentations or interactive displays, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
● AR enhances physical exhibits by overlaying digital information, 3D models, or animations on real-world objects, providing a richer and more engaging experience for attendees. Its apps help visitors navigate large exhibition spaces by providing interactive maps and directions, improving the overall visitor experience and games or challenges related to the exhibition theme can increase visitor engagement and make the event more memorable using AR.
● VR enables the creation of fully immersive virtual exhibitions where participants can explore virtual booths, interact with digital products, and attend presentations from anywhere in the world. Allowing exhibitors to create simulations of their products or services it provides a hands-on experience without physical constraints; and also can be employed for training sessions and educational workshops during exhibitions, offering interactive learning experiences that are more engaging and effective.
Sustainability has become a hygiene factor that every brand incorporates into its strategy today. How is the gifting and exhibition industry adapting to utilising eco-friendly products, processes, etc and how truly feasible it is for this industry in the true sense?
The gifting industry and all its relevant facets, most particularly the corporate gifting industry have shown an increasing demand for ecologically sensitive products and gifts in sync with rising eco-conscious consumerism and climate adaptation buoyed by the risks and impact brought about by climate change.
When it comes to feasibility in the gifting industry, sustainable gifting is not just a trend, it is the future of gifting. Consumers are becoming more and more aware of ecological concerns changing the landscape. Companies who are aware and working towards sustainability have adopted sustainable gifting as an alternative; and for a lot of companies, undertaking such activities also aligns with their CSR requirements.
What are the strategic alliances in the exhibition industry – India and overseas – that MEX has been looking at building on currently and for the future?
There are major plans in the works to further expand our reach to wider audiences. We have planned two events outside India with the 10th edition of LED Expo Thailand which will take place in September this year which is a JV with Impact Exhibition Management Co. and Gartex Texprocess India which we hold in Delhi and Mumbai is a JV with Messe Frankfurt India. Furthermore, MEX Exhibitions’ international subsidiary MEX International Inc. is set to host the inaugural edition of the Canada Light Expo in Canada in November 2024. This year we also launched a show on consumer electronics in June in New Delhi.
From your understanding and experience across two decades, how do you view the similarities and differences in the gifting and exhibition industry from the Indian and international perspectives? What kind of significant international innovations do you wish to implement in the Indian version of the Gifts Expo?
The gifting and exhibition industries in India and abroad reflect a blend of shared trends and unique regional characteristics. While there is a common movement towards personalisation, digital integration, and sustainability, cultural, economic, and technological differences shape the specifics of how these industries operate and evolve in different regions. Understanding these nuances helps businesses tailor their strategies to meet the diverse needs and preferences of consumers globally.
We also wish to bring international country pavilions from some countries like Turkey, Taiwan and China to add an international flavour to the show.
What kind of new aspects are you looking at introducing for the Kolkata and Bangalore editions of the Gifts Expo?
The Bangalore edition of the expo will cater to 200+ exhibitors with 750+ brands offering 7500+ products. Spread across 1,00,000 sq. ft. of space, we are expecting a footfall of close to 10,000 attendees and visitors. Whereas the Kolkata edition will cater to 600+ brands from 150+ exhibitors offering 6000+ products. Spread across 80,000 sq. ft. we are expecting a footfall of close to 8,000 - visitors and attendees, alike. Like the Delhi edition, we aim to expand our Kolkata and Bengaluru shows to bring in brands and buyers from all over the world.
We also aim to introduce the Gift Talks to our other editions, making it possible for visitors to gain knowledge from an expanded base of speakers. We also plan to expand our various segments like custom branding machinery, which is still a growing sector.
Lastly, we would also like to put more initiative towards sustainable gifting through an exclusive showcase or gallery.
According to you, what kind of trends and innovations are disrupting the gifting and exhibition industry in India and abroad?
Overall, the gifting and exhibition industries are evolving rapidly with a focus on technology, sustainability, and personalisation.
In India’s exhibition industry, AI (Artificial Intelligence), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented reality (AR) are helping to enhance attendee experiences. AI and data analytics are being used to analyse visitor behaviour, optimise booth designs, and tailor marketing strategies for exhibitions, with exhibitions increasingly focusing on sustainability, including eco-friendly materials, waste reduction, and energy-efficient setups; not to mention the various features incorporated by exhibitions to facilitate networking, like AI-driven matchmaking and more.
Data-driven insights are transforming how exhibitions are planned and executed. AI is employed for the purpose of predictive analytics, improving attendee engagement, and customising content. There’s also a strong push towards green exhibitions with initiatives like zero-waste events, sustainable booth construction, and carbon offset programs; not to mention innovations like holographic displays, interactive touchscreens, and gamification which are elevating the exhibition experience, making it more engaging and memorable for attendees.
Furthermore, with the advancement of networking technology, there are apps and platforms that allow for real-time connections, virtual business card exchanges, and AI-driven introductions.
