The Global Association of Events & Hospitality Professionals (GAEHP) marked its first anniversary with a well-attended Anniversary & Networking Evening in New Delhi, drawing strong participation from across India’s travel, tourism, hospitality, and events sectors. The milestone event reaffirmed GAEHP’s growing relevance as a unified industry body within just one year of its formation, reflecting the sector’s need for collaboration, representation, and structured professional engagement.
The anniversary celebration witnessed the participation of over 120 professionals, including association members and senior industry leaders, many of whom travelled from locations as far as 1,000 kilometres to attend the gathering. This wide geographical representation underlined GAEHP’s rapidly expanding national footprint and its ability to connect professionals beyond regional boundaries in a relatively short span of time.
Strong Presence of Industry Dignitaries
The evening was graced by several eminent dignitaries and senior stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Among those present were Subhash Goyal, Chief Patron of GAEHP and Chairman of the STIC Group; Ms. Samanda, Additional Director – Tourism & Culture at FICCI; and Dr. R. K. Suman, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism. Their presence lent significance to the occasion and highlighted the growing recognition GAEHP has earned among established institutions and industry leaders.
The participation of senior professionals from travel companies, tour operators, hotels, event management firms, destination management companies, and allied service providers reflected the diverse ecosystem that GAEHP seeks to represent. The anniversary event thus served not only as a celebration of one year of progress but also as a convergence point for multiple industry verticals.
Vision Behind the Formation of GAEHP
Addressing the gathering, Rajesh Arya, President of GAEHP, said that the association was formed with the clear objective of creating a collaborative, credible, and inclusive platform for professionals across events, travel, and hospitality. He noted that the encouraging response received within the first year, both in terms of membership growth and industry participation, reinforced the relevance and necessity of such a unified body.
According to Arya, GAEHP aims to bridge gaps between allied sectors, facilitate dialogue, and provide a common voice for professionals who often work in closely connected but fragmented segments of the industry. He emphasized that the strong turnout at the first anniversary event reflected the confidence the industry has placed in GAEHP’s vision and direction.
Rapid Membership Growth and Expanding Reach
Highlighting the association’s rapid progress, Pranav Bansal, General Secretary of GAEHP, shared that the organisation’s membership has grown to nearly 350 professionals in less than one year. He explained that the members represent a wide range of verticals, including travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, event organisers, destination specialists, and other allied service providers.
Bansal stated that this steady growth demonstrates the industry’s trust in GAEHP as a representative platform and motivates the association to further strengthen its initiatives. He added that the anniversary evening itself was a reflection of the engagement and commitment shown by members and partners towards building a strong professional network.
Focused Networking and Industry Dialogue
The anniversary celebration was designed as a focused networking evening, providing ample opportunity for professional interaction, relationship-building, and exchange of ideas among senior decision-makers. The informal yet structured setting encouraged meaningful conversations on industry challenges, emerging trends, and opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
The event also acknowledged the contribution and support of sponsors, partners, and members who have played a role in the association’s steady growth during its first year. Their continued involvement, leaders noted, would be critical as GAEHP moves into its next phase of expansion and activity.
Looking Ahead
As it completes one year of its journey, GAEHP continues to work towards strengthening industry collaboration, supporting knowledge exchange, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth across the events and hospitality ecosystem. With an expanding national presence and growing industry support, the association aims to position itself as a key connector and catalyst for collective progress in India’s dynamic travel, tourism, and events industry, while also exploring opportunities for engagement beyond national borders.
