India’s experience and events economy is estimated at approximately US$32 billion (₹2.7 lakh crore) in 2024 and is projected to grow to nearly US$60 billion (₹5 lakh crore) by 2029–30. Karnataka, driven by Bengaluru’s strong corporate, MICE, wedding, exhibition, entertainment and experiential ecosystem, is estimated to represent approximately ₹25,000–₹30,000 crore of this annual market.
Bengaluru, 2026: The Karnataka Event Management Association (KEMA) successfully hosted KEMA Tech Fest 2026, a full-day technology and innovation summit at Jayamahal Palace, Bengaluru. Held under the theme “Learn, collaborate, Grow” the summit brought together professionals from the event, entertainment, production and technology ecosystem to examine emerging trends and the future of experience-led events.
The event was attended by leading members of the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), the Event Equipment Service Association (EESA), KEMA members, employees and allied professionals, including sound engineers, lighting designers, technicians, AV specialists, riggers, fabricators, equipment rental companies, event producers, technology partners and creative teams.
Addressing the gathering, Tony Stephen, President, KEMA, described Tech Fest as a special initiative designed not merely to showcase technology, but to unlock new possibilities for the industry.
“Technology is changing the way we create, communicate, market, produce and deliver experiences. KEMA Tech Fest is an opportunity to understand what is new, ask better questions, make meaningful connections and take back ideas that can help businesses grow. KEMA is not only a membership association; it is a platform that works for the industry. We believe in becoming stronger together,” he said.
Dinesh Khanna, VP, Events, KEMA quoted, : “Sound and lighting are often treated as expenses to be reduced, but they are value-creation engines. Poor sound can undermine an otherwise excellent event. We want event managers, brands and venues to involve technical partners from the earliest stage of planning and invest in quality equipment, skilled manpower and professional execution.”
Sucheta Shekhar, General Secretary, KEMA, said: “This summit was not merely about equipment; it was about people, knowledge and collaboration. Engineers, designers, operators, riggers and technicians work behind the scenes to create experiences that audiences remember. When creative teams and technical teams work together from the beginning, the outcome becomes more efficient, more innovative and more impactful.”
The summit featured workshops, expert talks and panel discussions focusing on live audio, lighting, artificial intelligence, immersive experiences, experiential marketing and emerging event technologies. It was conceived as a platform where technology and production partners could showcase solutions, connect with industry leaders, generate business opportunities and contribute to shaping the future of the event industry.
Sound and Audio Take Centre Stage
The first panel discussion, “The Future of Live Audio: Managing Gears and Scaling Business,” emphasized that professional live sound relies on technical expertise, proper engineering, and trained personnel rather than sheer equipment volume or loudness. Panelists stressed that sound companies should be involved from early event planning as strategic partners—matching the right technology, software, network audio, and wireless systems to each production. While AI will continue to enhance audio production, human judgment and live expertise remain irreplaceable for delivering audio clarity and quality. Ultimately, great sound requires the right equipment, the right engineering, the right people, and the right partners.
Lighting as a Creative Language
The second panel, “The Art of Illumination,” framed lighting as a powerful storytelling language that shapes mood, emotion, and visual identity across concerts, corporate events, and theatre productions. Speakers emphasized that effective lighting design relies on quality, purpose, and precision over sheer quantity, requiring early pre-planning and tight collaboration between lighting, sound, and creative teams. While advanced technologies—including intelligent fixtures, laser systems, projection mapping, and immersive programming—are rapidly expanding creative boundaries, the ultimate goal remains enhancing the audience's experience without causing distraction.
Emerging Technologies and Industry Growth
Additional sessions was with the topics on
From ideas to immersive experience from Ravi kumar, founder director – craftech 360,
A new era of experiential marketing – rise of immersive Drone technology by Nipurn Agarwal VP business Botlabs, the guest experience code by Syed hidyath founder – cabto ai, code and crest the future of AI in trophy design by Parag anand – Director Benson trophies, the transformation of ideas into immersive experiences, the use of technology to bring stories to life, and the rise of immersive drone technology in road shows and large-scale events. Discussions highlighted how interactions, responses, storytelling and seamless delivery can make experiences more memorable.
The summit also underlined the growing economic importance of the Indian event industry. Industry estimates indicate that the sector, valued at approximately $32 billion in 2024, is expected to grow towards $60 billion. The post-pandemic recovery has been particularly strong in ticketed events, with ticket sales increasing from around ₹600 crore to nearly ₹4,000 crore and recording approximately 18% CAGR.
KEMA Tech Fest 2026 concluded with a call for stronger collaboration, professional standards and greater recognition for the people behind successful events. Sound, lighting, staging, creative design and production operations must be treated as strategic investments rather than last-minute additions.
By bringing the industry’s technical, creative and business communities onto one platform, KEMA reaffirmed its commitment to helping stakeholders learn, collaborate, create and grow and to building a smarter, more professional and more resilient event ecosystem.
