Event Overview
The 17th edition of WOW Awards Asia 2026 was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 3‑4 July 2026. Presented by Maharashtra Tourism, the two‑day summit ran under the theme “Community To Collective Consciousness” and positioned India as a dynamic destination for live experiences, cultural programming, business events and large‑format entertainment.
Ministerial Engagement
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, attended a strategic industry interaction alongside senior leaders such as Deepak Choudhary, Founder & Managing Director of EVA Live and EVENTFAQS Media, and Sabbas Joseph, Co‑Founder of Wizcraft Group. The minister’s participation underscored government interest in strengthening the experience economy, tourism, culture, destination marketing, employment and global perception.
Industry Participation and Scale
The summit attracted delegates from more than 25 countries and brought together thousands of professionals across events, experiential marketing, MICE, weddings, live entertainment, tourism, brand experience, hospitality, technology and creative sectors. Over 150 speakers and panelists shared insights, while more than 100 exhibitors showcased products and services. The programme included conferences, masterclasses, showcases, exhibitions, performances and an extensive awards ceremony.
Key Discussion Themes
Participants discussed how India’s event infrastructure, talent base and cultural depth can be further developed to attract global events, large‑scale weddings, cultural showcases, music festivals, business tourism and international entertainment formats. Specific topics included AI in event ideation, the rise of culinary entertainment, luxury destination weddings, sustainable energy solutions, destination marketing, talent management, creative production, hospitality experiences and future audience engagement. The dialogue emphasized the need for stronger industry recognition, improved infrastructure, streamlined execution support and deeper collaboration between government bodies and private‑sector stakeholders.
Awards and Recognitions
WOW Awards Asia 2026 featured a broad awards programme recognizing excellence across the sector, including the 35 Under 35 Awards, Wedding Power List, Women of the Year Awards and the Event Managers A‑List Awards. These platforms celebrated emerging leaders, established professionals and organisations shaping the industry.
Profile of Deepak Choudhary and EVA Live
Deepak Choudhary, with over two decades of experience, has contributed to event education, industry media, intellectual‑property‑led platforms, large‑format concerts, talent development and live entertainment. Through EVA Live, EVENTFAQS Media, WOW Awards Asia, Shows of India, MSEED and related initiatives, he has driven education, recognition, business networking, content creation, artist programming and large‑scale entertainment. EVA Live’s portfolio spans concerts and festivals featuring artists such as Arijit Singh, A. R. Rahman, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Atif Aslam, Tiësto, Shreya Ghoshal, Jubin Nautiyal, Prateek Kuhad, Satinder Sartaaj, Abida Parveen, Snarky Puppy, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Russell Peters. Regional projects have been staged at venues including Etihad Arena (Abu Dhabi), Coca‑Cola Arena (Dubai), Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and QNCC Doha, while the India portfolio covers major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata and Jaipur.
Significance
The conclusion of WOW Awards Asia 2026 reinforced India’s ambition to become a global hub for live experiences, with government engagement, private‑sector leadership and international participation converging on a single platform. Industry leaders view events not merely as entertainment but as drivers of employment, destination value, cultural diplomacy and economic growth, positioning the experience economy as a central pillar of India’s creative and economic development story.