Connectivity Ruled at Convergence India 2017

Convergence India 2017, the 25th anniversary of South-Asia’s gathering of innovation and connectivity in the ICT, broadcast, and digital media industries, concluded recently.

Introducing ground-breaking technologies and products, providing opportunities for companies to conduct business, and shattering records, the trade fair showcased the connected future of innovations. Thousands of industry experts and professionals converged in New Delhi to explore the theme of the conference, Digital India, and drive the ever-evolving technology industry forward.

With 635 exhibiting companies and 18000 sq. m exhibit space, Convergence India 2017 along with the co-located Internet of Things India expo 2017 (IoT India expo 2017), was a record-breaker, both in terms of exhibitor participation and visitor attendance. The three-day event witnessed a record footfall of 19,000 visitors and an overwhelming 46 percent increase in exhibitor participation as compared to last year.

Connectivity was a major focus throughout the three Convergence India conference tracks, which included 27 sessions, and the wider ecosystem of policy makers, business leaders, industry experts, entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, innovators, and investors.

Convergence India 2017 welcomed official government representatives from around the world. Indian government leaders in attendance included the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Law and Justice, PP Chaudhary, who inaugurated the trade show on February 8. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, was the Guest of Honor at the opening ceremony. Other top-level Indian government attendees included representatives from the DoT, DeiTY, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs,  Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, MTNL, C-DOT, TEC, TCIL, Prasar Bharati, BECIL, AIR, and Doordarshan.

Urging the government to provide ample support to industry and private players in addressing cyber security issues, Rahul Tyagi, Vice-President-Training, Lucideus, said, “Devices at the hardware level need to be made more secure and consumer awareness needs to be generated.”

During the session, ‘E-commerce in India: A Game Changer for New Customer Experience,’ Madhur Arora, Head-Digital Business & Strategy, Intex Technologies and Startup Mentor, India, said, “E-commerce has provided customers with huge choices and customers now have access to various brands. However, availability of products is a key factor in ensuring superior customer experience.”

Sundeep Malhotra, Founder and Former CEO, Homeshop 18, stated, “E-commerce businesses in India currently are in the customer acquisition phase. These businesses need to develop a mind shift and a new line of thought apart from traditional concepts.”

He added, “Well-organized conferences such as Convergence India 2017 provide the platform to discuss relevant ideas, radical changes, and latest innovations. Bringing the best and brightest minds and decision makers under one roof to discuss the latest happenings and future trends broadens the horizons and opens more gates for new ideas to be implemented.”

Exhibitors found the expo a great way to showcase their brands and gain enormous exposure.

“We found the exhibition to be professionally managed and on par with any European event. Convergence India 2017 helped us connect with potential customers, and we were able to generate many leads. We look forward to participating in the next edition,” said Dr. Matthias Wurster, Vice President-Marketing & Business Development, UNLIMIT.

Organized by the Exhibitions India Group, the event is supported by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and the Digital India campaign.

“Convergence India 2017 moved to a new level as big and small companies from around the world assembled to reveal solutions to meet the current and future needs of society. Our industry is touching lives through connectivity and innovation, and this connected world was on full display this week at Convergence India 2017.”

Prem Behl
Chairman,
Exhibitions India Group