Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Limited (HITEX), established in 2003 in Madhapur near HITEC City, has grown into one of India’s premier MICE destinations. Spread across nearly 70 acres, HITEX boasts world-class air-conditioned halls, versatile outdoor spaces, and advanced conference facilities, having successfully hosted over 1,500 national and international events.
In an exclusive interview with Voyager’s World, Srikanth T.G., Business Head of HITEX, reflects on this remarkable journey, recent innovations, and the venue’s role in shaping Hyderabad’s position on the global MICE map.
How has HITEX evolved over the years as a leading MICE venue in India?
The journey of HITEX over the past two decades has been truly remarkable. Since its establishment in 2003, HITEX has evolved into a leading destination for events, exhibitions, conferences, live shows, and trade fairs in India. Our vision was to provide a world-class facility that caters to the diverse needs of businesses and industries—and I am proud to say that we have achieved that and more.
Throughout these years, HITEX has played a significant role in promoting trade and commerce in the region. We have successfully hosted over 2,000 national and international events, making us a preferred choice for event organisers and exhibitors. The support and patronage we have received from clients, partners, and stakeholders have been instrumental in our success.
What is the core vision and philosophy that drives the operations and growth strategy of HITEX? What are the key facilities and infrastructure offerings that distinguish HITEX from other exhibition and convention centres in India?
At HITEX, we strongly believe in being a one-stop destination for all the requirements of an organiser. Accordingly, we have integrated a wide network of service providers within the campus itself—stand constructors, PCOs, event planners, manpower suppliers, media agencies, photography services, printers, transport agencies, money exchangers, and more. This ensures that any organiser need not look outside the campus for event requirements—a unique offering that sets HITEX apart from other venues in India.
We also take pride in impeccable venue maintenance and exceptional service standards. Our professional and well-groomed staff work tirelessly to ensure seamless support for organizers and visitors alike.
Could you share details about recent upgrades, expansions, or technological innovations undertaken at HITEX?
In June 2024, we added 8,000 sq. mts. of pillar-less multipurpose space to the existing 10,500 sq. mts., taking our indoor capacity to 18,500 sq. mts. This new addition, Hall 4, is the most advanced multipurpose hall in the country—LEED Certified, acoustically treated, with high load-bearing floors, a ceiling height of 12.5 meters, and over 125 rigging points capable of supporting up to 1,000 kg each.
Hall 4 can be subdivided into multiple smaller halls, offers multiple freight entry doors up to 10 meters high, and has flexible mood lighting systems. It also houses 14 meeting rooms for 15–100 pax, green rooms, lounges, and advanced floor chambers for electricity, internet, and water connections—eliminating over-the-floor cabling.
What role does HITEX play in promoting Hyderabad as a prominent MICE destination on the global map?
HITEX is a proud member of national and international MICE associations like UFI, ICCA, ICPB, IEIA, and EEMA. We are also actively represented on trade bodies like HYSEA and FTCCI. Importantly, HITEX is a board member of the Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau (HCVB)—the first city promotion bureau in India.
Through these platforms, we strongly advocate for Hyderabad as a global MICE hub. Our teams also actively participate in leading international MICE events such as IBTM and IMEX, showcasing both HITEX and Hyderabad to the world.
How does HITEX support trade exhibitions, government-led initiatives, and sector-specific conventions?
HITEX has always positioned itself as a partner rather than just a venue provider. We actively collaborate with trade associations, industry clusters, and government departments to curate events that address sectoral priorities. For instance, we are actively supporting MSME participation through subsidised space, and worked with ministries on technology showcases for most of their own shows organised by HITEX. We have partnered with trade associations to bring forward their industry ecosystem and network through trade fairs and conferences. All In Print Asia, in association with the Telangana Offset Printers Association; HITEX Sportex India, in association with Hyderabad Runners; and Corrupack Summit 2027, in association with the Association of Corrugated Case of Telangana, are a few such events.
Our ecosystem—covering infrastructure, networking support, media visibility, and curated buyer-seller meets—ensures that government initiatives and industry conventions achieve their intended impact. HITEX has thus become a catalyst for trade, innovation, and policy outreach.
What emerging trends in the Exhibition and MICE industry are you observing post-pandemic, and how is HITEX aligning with these changes?
In my opinion, three major factors have gained prominence post-pandemic: Hygiene, Sustainability, and Technology.
At HITEX, we have proactively invested in all three. Touch-free infrastructure across washrooms and registration areas, scanner-based hall access and digital registrations, biodegradable cutlery replacing plastic in food courts, meticulous waste segregation with vendor support for recycling and reuse, a state-of-the-art green STP using floating bed technology and bio-enzymes, a lake within the campus being rejuvenated with green principles, and LEED-certified Hall 4. These initiatives not only ensure compliance but also demonstrate our commitment to sustainable event practices.
What are your upcoming plans for HITEX in terms of expansion, partnerships, or new services?
Expansion and upgradation remain our core strategy. Following the launch of Hall 4, we are now upgrading our parking facilities to accommodate 3,000 vehicles.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing with leading national and international hospitality brands to explore the development of guest accommodations within the HITEX campus. On the partnerships front, we are working with industry trade bodies to co-create new sectoral expos—the Corrupack Summit 2027 is one such example.
What is your outlook on India’s potential to emerge as a global MICE destination in the next 5–10 years?
The future for India’s MICE industry is extremely promising. Government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India are fueling rapid growth in manufacturing and trade. Simultaneously, the government is recognising the power of the MICE economy—strengthening bodies like Incredible India and the National MICE Bureau with focused support and budgets.
With these drivers in place, India is poised to emerge as one of the top global MICE destinations within the next decade.
