IGNITING INSPIRATION
Strengthening Key Partnerships
My two-decade journey in the event industry has been exhilarating. I discovered event management in college and deepened my passion for brand essence and experiential marketing with an early stint at Unilever. Driven to redefine experiences, I honed my skills in client relations, operations, and crisis management. Collaborating with global professionals and vendors enriched my understanding and strengthened key partnerships. Over the years, I have evolved from a traditional event manager to a leader in experiential marketing, embracing significant industry shifts and continually innovating.
Amid the highs of successful events, I have faced inevitable challenges, especially during 2020, which underscored the importance of human connections in the experiential industry. These obstacles strengthened my resilience, teaching adaptability and the need to stay dynamic. Grateful for the trust and support of my clients, partners, and especially my life and business partner, I became committed to pushing boundaries going on to inspire future event professionals. My journey is a testament to turning passion into profession, celebrating human connection, and creating unforgettable memories with excellence.
Prioritizing Human Connection
India’s event industry benefits from its vast size, diverse demographics, rising disposable income, and government support, offering tremendous growth opportunities. Embracing technology while prioritizing face-to-face interaction post-2020 is crucial. However, challenges include adapting to rapid growth, training in sustainable practices, and navigating economic fluctuations and digital competition. Success lies in innovating continuously, maintaining high standards, and meeting evolving consumer expectations for personalized, immersive experiences. I envisage prioritising human connections and exceptional experiences through innovative digital interventions, pushing boundaries in event design and integrating cutting-edge technologies to set new global standards. To achieve upcoming year turnover targets, my strategy focuses on leveraging AI to streamline operations and enhance project delivery efficiency, alongside investments in professional development to foster innovation and excellence within my team. While I aim to maximize ROI and sustain growth through ongoing innovation, I want to emphasize on client satisfaction through specialized expertise and AI-driven solutions.
Expanding Globally
I consistently tracks quarterly project deliveries, achieving over 180 successful projects last year with plans to increase this figure. Our client strategy focuses on integrated services to enhance efficiency and drive ROI and ROX. Future initiatives include expanding globally through strategic partnerships and advancing research on human emotions and psychology.
We also plan to implement robust analytics for tracking event success metrics and optimizing strategies continuously. I want to celebrate the contributions of women in the industry, noting a strong presence, including in leadership roles within my Company where women make up 48% of the workforce. I consistently encourage skilling women in planning, multitasking, and resilience, while acknowledging challenges such as stereotypes and unequal leadership opportunities. I fiercely support systemic changes like fostering inclusive cultures, flexible working policies, and mentorship programs to empower women in leadership roles at BOI. I channelize my energies to ensure innovation, human connection, and excellence continues to drive BOI EXP forward, setting benchmarks and shaping the future of the experiential industry.
Rahi Shaikh
Director & Chief Connector
BOI Exp