The 8th IEIA Open Seminar was successfully held at HITEX Exhibition Center, Hyderabad from 9th to 11th May, 2018. With the theme of CONVERGE & CONNECT, the 8th IEIA Open Seminar attracted around 100 international participants from more than 30 countries and districts with over 500 delegates which include leaders from India. As one of the fastest growing countries, the Indian Exhibition Industry has played a big role in boosting India’s economy. According to statistics, the output value of the Exhibition Industry in India will exceed INR 250 billions. Every year, more than 800 professional economic exhibitions were held in India, the growth rate of which has been achieved 8.8% per year.

As important link between Indian government and Indian Exhibition Industry, IEIA has given strong support to its industry’s development. The last 7 successful events proved that the annual IEIA Open Seminar has offer a platform that enables experts and leaders of the Global Exhibition Industry to deliberate and address important values related to the Exhibition Industry and seek business partnerships. The 2-day event was a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing collaborations, distributing new policies, addressing industry challenges and developments. Most important, the event provides networking activities to its members and participants. During the 2-day event, India political representatives, top leaders of UFI, IAEE, AFECA, members of BRICS MICE Executive Committee, representatives from more than 30 countries voiced for the Exhibition Industry. Several international meetings such as BRICS MICE Forum Executive Committee Meeting, IEIA Reciprocity Partner Associations Meeting, IAEE India Chapter Boarding Meeting，IEIA Board Meeting and AFECA Boarding Meeting were also held during the event.

Invited by IEIA, Mr. Zheng Zhi, Chairman of China City Association of Convention and Exhibition Association and President of Xiamen Convention and Exhibition Association, attended the 8th IEIA Open Seminar as well as BRICS MICE Forum Executive Committee Meeting, Panel Discussion, AFECA Board Meeting held in Hyderabad.