The Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) brought together 850+ policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and global experts at EEMAGINE 2026, held on 8th August at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, its 18th annual convention and the first edition to be hosted in Chennai. The convention brought together stakeholders from live entertainment, weddings, MICE, exhibitions, government events, experiential marketing and allied sectors to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s rapidly evolving experience economy.
The opening of EEMAGINE 2026 in Chennai featured the ceremonial flag hoisting and cultural extravaganza celebrating the artistic heritage of the southern states. The strong cultural identity, creative ecosystem and growing economic significance provided the backdrop for discussions on the role of experiences in driving destination development and economic activity.
EEMAGINE 2026 also featured the release of the very first Socio-Economic Impact Report brought out by KPMG–EEMA–Mastercard, offering new data and insights into the contribution of the events industry to India’s economy and allied sectors. The report projects the industry to reach approximately USD 60 billion by 2030, with MICE, weddings, live events and sporting experiences identified as key contributors. It also highlighted the sector’s wider impact on employment, tourism and local economies, with events generating significant economic activity beyond the event itself.
The convention comes at a time when the sector is emerging as a significant contributor to India’s economic and cultural landscape. The industry is projected to grow from USD 32.2 billion in 2024 to USD 47.2 billion by 2029, while supporting more than 10 million jobs across the country. With an estimated ₹3.25–3.5 lakh crore opportunity across segments and approximately 34,000 ticketed events held in India last year, the sector is increasingly contributing to tourism, hospitality, employment, infrastructure, culture and local economies.
Against this backdrop, EEMAGINE 2026 served as a platform for industry and government stakeholders to discuss the policy frameworks, talent, investment, innovation and collaboration required to unlock the next phase of growth. The convention also advanced EEMA’s Vision 2030 ambition of positioning India as the “Experience Destination” of the world, with a focus on strengthening India’s capabilities as a destination for live experiences, weddings, MICE, exhibitions and experiential formats.
The convention features 43 speakers from India and global markets, including Dubai, London and Toronto, with discussions spanning entrepreneurship, business, entertainment, infrastructure, sports, destination development and the wider experience economy. Padma Shri awardee and three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej also shared his perspectives on the role of music, creativity and storytelling in shaping memorable experiences and connecting audiences across cultures.
Speaking at EEMAGINE 2026, Samit Garg, President, EEMA, said: “Live events today are no longer just about entertainment; they are becoming an important part of India’s economic infrastructure. India represents 18% of the world’s population, yet our contribution to the global live events and experiences economy remains only around 2–2.5%, highlighting the tremendous opportunity for growth. As an industry, we have a responsibility to recognise ourselves as catalysts for change, build stronger collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and create the talent and capital ecosystem needed for our next phase of growth. India is ready to become the stage for the world, and our collective responsibility is to take this India story forward through collaboration, innovation and experiences.”