Inaugural Wedding and MICE Conclave in Kochi puts Kerala on global map for MICE & weddings

6,623 B2B meetings bridge Indian and overseas buyers with sellers

The inaugural edition of the Wedding and MICE Conclave, organised by the Kerala Travel Mart Society, concluded in Kochi on Saturday after two days of seminars, industry interactions, and over 6,623 B2B meetings.

The inaugural edition of the Wedding and MICE Conclave, held at Kochi in Kerala, concluded after two days of engaging seminars and insightful discussions and putting Kerala firmly on the global map as a MICE and wedding destination.

The event witnessed over 6,000 B2B meetings between buyers, sellers, and other key stakeholders from the wedding and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.

Targetting about 675 buyers from India and overseas, around 75 exhibitors showcased Kerala’s diverse offerings as a premier destination for weddings and MICE events. They presented their properties, services and products, highlighting the state’s unique appeal.

In the concluding ceremony, Jose Pradeep, President, KTM Society, stated that the conclave had set a new benchmark for the wedding and MICE sector in India. He added that the event successfully hosted a total of 6,623 business meetings.

Both buyers and sellers expressed satisfaction with the conclave. Exhibitors appreciated the focussed platform to connect with serious buyers, while participants praised the quality of interactions, the professionalism of the event, and the potential for long-term partnerships.

“This is the first time Kerala Travel Mart has taken the initiative to expand its focus and attract people to Kerala for my segment, which is weddings and MICE. I must say, they invited a very good set of buyers from different parts of India,” Madhu Gopalan, Founder and Managing Director of NB4 Holidays, a Tour & Travel venture and Out of the Box Events, based in Kochi, and a seller at the Conclave, tells India & You.

“It was a wonderful experience. While interacting with each other, we exchanged ideas and came up with several concepts where we could collaborate as a team rather than engage in unhealthy competition. We saw the diversity and creativity of the events in terms of concepts and execution. When compared to other parts of the world, I believe South India offers unique venues and paradigms that are perfectly suited for weddings, and this potential is already being realised. We’ve also seen a growing interest in Kerala as a destination for conferences and IT-related tourism. Overall, I would say this was one of the best events we have ever had in Kerala,” adds Gopalan.

Sharing a similar sentiment as Gopalan, Rojes Joseph, General Manager, Sales & Marketing at Spice Routes Luxury Cruises, a leading name in Kerala’s premium cruise market, tells India & You, “We have had nearly 64 appointments so far. The sessions have been highly interactive. In fact, participants from northern parts of India and even from abroad have attended. They are becoming aware that such facilities are available here in Kerala and are learning how to effectively utilise unique offerings like houseboats and well-structured resorts.”

Many buyers noted that Kerala’s potential as a wedding and MICE destination was clearly demonstrated through the well-organised meetings and presentations.

“I am glad I am in Kochi today and congratulations to Kerala Travel Mart Society for organising this mating event on Weddings and MICE.I think Kerala has always taken the lead to organise these events. Weddings are big in Kerala, so is MICE. And with the kind of exposure we have got with the hotels who specialise in Weddings and MICE, I think it is going to be a game changer in the coming year. And we hope that the business grows and wish all the best to Kerala and all the travellers who have participated in it,” Rajat Sawhney, Senior Vice President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, tells India & You.

Sanjay Sahgal, Founder and CEO of Pride My Travel, a Delhi-based travel agency, said that such an event should be held regularly.

“”It was a wonderful event. KTM is a good event and a good platform where you come and meet all the five-star hotel people, the transporters, and the leisure hotels. We have met so many brand hotels where we can come up with MICE events or weddings. So, it is wonderful that this kind of Wedding and MICE Conclave has happened. This should happen at regular intervals so that new properties coming up can also join the platform,” Sahgal tells India & You.

The event also featured a seminar on Sacred Vows & Scenic Views: Reimagining Destination Weddings in Kerala. During this seminar, Sikha Surendran, Director of Kerala Tourism, said that what sets Kerala apart as a destination is the unique experience it offers, built on inclusiveness and a sustainable tourism model. She also noted that the progressive mindset of the people has helped transform Kerala into a sought-after wedding destination.

“Kerala is a leader in sustainable tourism, and it’s important to involve the local community. The inclusive and eco-friendly approach to weddings and MICE has helped position Kerala as a key player in this space,” she added.

Rajeev Jain, Founder & Director, Rashi Entertainment, said that Kerala can benefit from the large wedding industry by improving infrastructure, such as hotel capacity, and focusing on better branding. He also encouraged the use of technology for managing large-scale events.

Highlighting the importance of entertainment in modern weddings, Sumit Khetan, Artistic Director of Sumit Khetan Entertainment, added that weddings today often involve a mix of cultural traditions, regardless of region.

Meanwhile, Founder of Millennium Events, Pramod Lunawat noted Kerala already has stunning locations for destination weddings and does not need to follow trends from elsewhere. “We should focus on our strengths. Kerala is perfect for intimate and celebratory weddings,” he said.

The event concluded with a valedictory ceremony where stakeholders called for a comprehensive policy framework that helps Kerala emerge as the country’s foremost destination in this fast-growing segment by leveraging the state’s niche strengths as a global tourism brand.

Surendaran urged the KTM Society to come out with a “detailed report” featuring the deliberations from the conclave and a “focused roadmap” to carry forward the momentum set by the meet.

“The government will certainly act upon the key takeaways from this event. Overall, the conclave has been a resounding success by laying a firm foundation for Kerala in its future growth and leadership in the wedding and MICE segment,” she said.

S Swaminathan, Secretary, KTM presented mementos to the organising teams of the conclave, while KTM Treasurer Jibran Asif proposed a vote of thanks. Other speakers on the occasion included KTM past Presidents E M Najeeb, Abraham George and Baby Mathew Somatheeram besides KTM Chief Executive Officer Rajkumar K, Vice-President Hari Kumar C and Joint Secretary Jobin Akkarakalam.