A hospitality veteran, Devendra has over 25+ years of launch and operational excellence experience with focus on optimising costs while delivering luxury experiences. Having worked with the Oberoi Group for 23+ years and setting-up the hospitality vertical for the DLF Group, he has in-depth knowledge and experience of operating in competitive markets. A people’s person, his affability lends itself to superior guest experiences and strong team management.
Today with us, he shares a hearty conversation on Jio World Centre, its features, utilization of the same wrt the Indian context, trends and sustainability of the F&B space and their future goals.
1. What is the idea and vision behind Jio World Convention Centre?
Putting India on the world map and bringing the best of world to India is Mrs. Nita Ambani’s vision to script the next chapter of India’s growth story. In-line with this vision, a world class centre requires a physical infrastructure, the best of Indian hospitality; backed by a strong technology support.
For us, at the Jio World Convention Centre, this vision translates to having over 1 million sq. ft of exhibitions and conventions spaces that offer the best of physical and digital infrastructure combined with quintessential Indian hospitality, world- class Food & Beverage options- with capacity to serve over 18000 meals in a day, world’s largest passenger elevator, India’s largest car park, fully 5G enabled connectivity and much more.
Jio World Convention Centre has been conceived with the thought of becoming a global epicentre for distinguished business and social events including consumer shows, conferences, exhibitions, live concerts, sporting events, gala banquets, and weddings.
2. What are the features of the same?
In addition to our unmatched Indian hospitality philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava- which translates as ‘Guest is God,’ Jio World Convention Centre’s state-of-the-art spaces are transformative in nature, backed by technology and equipped to host virtual, physical and hybrid events.
Some highlights:
- Pavilions – Three modular exhibition venues spanning 1,61,400 sq. ft.
- Jasmine hall -Two pillarless convention venues covering an area of 1,07,600 sq. ft.
- Lotus ballroom – One majestic ballroom spanning 32,280 sq. ft.
- Two business lounges
- 25 meeting rooms enveloping 28,810 sq. ft. across four floors
- Triple height public concourses spanning the atrium across four floors can be converted to suit any event
- A registration hall with an attached Business Centre
- India’s largest on-site parking in a convention centre with a capacity of 5,000 cars managed by an intelligent parking management system
- World’s largest passenger elevator
- ISO 22000:2018 certified, HACCP compliant international kitchen facility with culinary prowess to craft 18,000 gourmet meals a day from across the globe
- A concierge service affiliated with Les Clefs d’Or India
- Assisted golf carts and wheelchair services to enhance mobility of our differently abled and elderly guests
Additionally, we are the only convention centre in the country to supplement the world class experience with a spectacular show at Mumbai’s beloved destination- the magical Fountain of Joy. The mesmerising show- dedicated to the city of Mumbai by Mrs. Nita Ambani, is a beautifully choreographed water feature attuned to a rhythmic play of music, water, fire, light, sound, and mist.
3. What are the requirements to build a world-class convention centre? Where does India stand now?
The requirements are to have the best- in- class infrastructure with India’s hospitality sensibilities, which is what makes the Jio World Convention Centre unique. Our back-of- house infrastructure translates to time, labour, and cost reduction for our clients with optimal support. This includes 11 service elevators for mobility of staff; 4 freight lifts to assist in movement across floors; 4 dock lifts and 2 dock levellers for flexibility and for unloading and loading cargo; 44 loading and unloading bays for commercial vehicles; multi-tier access control for people, cargo and vehicles to facilitate seamless entry and exit; and a full spectrum of rigging and AV services to support all conventions, exhibitions, tradeshows and special events.
India is well poised in the convention and exhibitions space. All our key cities have the infrastructure to support domestic demand and cater to future global events that are likely to come. In Mumbai, with our world class facility, we have a line-up of many such events on our roster and believe we are in a strong position to showcase Mumbai and the Jio World Centre, as a global Convention and an Exhibition venue.
4. What category of clients do you expect to be utilizing your premises more frequently?
The rationale behind building a multi-dimensional, flexible, development of this expanse is to be able to tap into a diverse clientele profile. From catering to the requirements of a meeting room; a grand ballroom to hosting a statement wedding or a glamorous red-carpet event; convention halls to organise conferences, to our exhibition halls for holding state of the art exhibitions, live concerts or indoor sporting events, each venue at our facility presents the perfect backdrop for varied physical, virtual and hybrid occasions.
5. With time, to continue being of relevance, what kind of upgrades do you think you would require making?
Our venue is a pioneer in technology, digital innovation and offers exceptional experiences such as India’s first 5G enabled digital infrastructure with uninterrupted data, virtual and hybrid events, and unparalleled online cultural experiences.
While the precinct has been smartly designed with state-of-the-art technology, considering the pace of technological advancement, it has also been future- proofed to ensure that we further ramp up our facilities to keep in line with the infrastructure and technical developments in the future.
6. Do you see consistency in terms of requirements all year round or will it be cyclical?
Since we have diverse and transformative spaces, catering to a varied audience base, our business model is not heavily impacted by cyclicity.
7. Please illuminate our readers on the sustainability model and magnitude of the facility.
In-line with the governments vision of sustainability, we are a LEED platinum pre- certified facility. In addition, we have taken several steps towards a sustainable approach, which include landscaping 20% of the total development with over 700 native trees, electric charging points for vehicles, sewage treatment plant, solar panels for hot water, and 75% daylight for all regularly occupied areas which results in saving 40% energy and much more.
Our ISO 22000:2018 certified kitchens are also equipped with the latest culinary tools available, and has an efficient waste management system to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.
8. What are the trends in social events and conventions, exhibition spaces and Food and beverage?
The new trend right is shorter booking windows and the return of physical events at venue. In the short span that we have been operational, we have already hosted more than 50+ large scale events.
Digitisation of events is here to stay. All events have some element of digitisation built-in to maximise attendance and knowledge sharing. Our hybrid technology network enables us to meet all client needs from hybrid events to live telecast.
In addition, green events are fast becoming a norm. Our facility is designed with environment conscious initiatives such as recycling total water consumed, composting total wet waste generated, optimizing lighting via day light sensors, 214 electric vehicle charging points, curated menus for Green Events with locally sourced seasonal produce, organic ingredients and much more.
9. Where do you see Jio World Convention Centre in the next 2-3 years?
Representing India as a leader in the global conventions and exhibition space. That is our short- and long-term goal.
With international events such as the International Olympic Committee session, World Congress of Accountants and much more finding their way to Indian shores, we are on track to emerge as the top venue for all key events and realising our dream of putting India on the global map.
At par with other global convention centres across the world, Jio World Convention Centre is all about offering a holistic experience to all its guests. It believes in hosting the best of India and the world. And we are getting there, one event at a time.
