Maharashtra Unveils India First State Backed Convention Bureau
Maharashtra has launched India’s first state-led convention bureau at IMEX Frankfurt, marking a significant shift in the country’s strategy to position itself on the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) map.
The Maharashtra Convention Bureau (MCB), headquartered in Mumbai, is the first government-backed initiative aimed solely at promoting international conferences and exhibitions across key cities in the state. Backed by the Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024, the bureau will promote Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur as international event destinations, leveraging infrastructure like the Jio World Convention Centre and the state’s strong air connectivity and hospitality network. Tourism Minister Indranil Naik, who led the delegation to IMEX Frankfurt, said the initiative is designed to tap into high-value business tourism and strengthen the visitor economy.
MCB has already bagged major international events including the 2025 Astronomy Olympiad and the 2026 International Baccalaureate Congress. The move has been praised by industry leaders, with ICCA CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath calling it a “game-changer” that sets a new benchmark for the Indian MICE industry. The bureau is expected to drive significant job creation, investment, and tourism revenue, capitalising on India’s post-G20 global momentum. It will focus on attracting innovation summits, trade fairs, and leadership conventions, positioning Maharashtra as a key gateway for global business events in South Asia.
With this strategic move, Maharashtra becomes the first Indian state to institutionalise business tourism as an economic growth lever, opening new frontiers in the state’s hospitality, transport, and service sectors.
