In this interview, Vikas Sood, General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar & MMCEC, shares how the venue is strengthening Gujarat’s MICE ecosystem and supporting India’s aspirations of becoming a global MICE powerhouse.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
What, in your view, makes Mahatma Mandir a truly distinctive MICE venue compared to other convention centres in India?
Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre stands apart because it offers far more than convention infrastructure; it delivers a fully integrated destination experience. Its seamless integration with The Leela Gandhinagar’s 318 luxury rooms and suites enables organisers to bring together accommodation, convention facilities, dining, wellness, and event execution within a single ecosystem. Complementing this is a technologically advanced venue designed to support events of every scale with efficiency, flexibility, and seamless delegate movement.
Its strategic location, with excellent connectivity to the international airport, railway station, metro network, and major roadways, makes it exceptionally accessible for delegates. Backed by extensive parking facilities, strong government support, and an experienced team with proven expertise in managing VIP delegations, global summits, and large medical congresses, Mahatma Mandir offers organisers the confidence of world-class infrastructure supported by exceptional hospitality and operational excellence.
How is Mahatma Mandir contributing to attracting more national and international conventions to the state?
Mahatma Mandir has become a catalyst in positioning Gujarat as a destination capable of hosting world-class business events across an increasingly diverse portfolio of industries. The state’s continued growth across manufacturing, finance, healthcare, technology, sports, government initiatives, and industry associations has created sustained demand for conventions, exhibitions, leadership forums, medical congresses, sporting events, award ceremonies, and corporate gatherings. Our engagement with leading industry bodies such as ICCA, IEIA, and ICPB further strengthens our visibility within the global MICE ecosystem and enables us to attract larger national and international conventions.
What investments or innovations are you introducing to enhance the event experience at Mahatma Mandir?
Delegate expectations today extend well beyond the event itself, with greater emphasis on personalisation, convenience, and meaningful experiences. We continue to invest in technology-enabled event solutions, modern audiovisual adapted simulation, and flexible event spaces that can seamlessly adapt to different event formats and delegate requirements.
Beyond the built infrastructure, Mahatma Mandir also offers expansive landscaped open spaces for networking sessions, social evenings, and experiential events. Through The Leela Gandhinagar, delegates enjoy curated culinary experiences, personalised hospitality, wellness programmes under Aujasya, and thoughtfully designed stay experiences. We also encourage organisers to incorporate curated heritage tours, pilgrimage circuits, and cultural experiences into their itineraries.
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