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Indian Kitchen Congress
Renaissance of Kitchens
The tone and tenor of the Congress will be to build winning alliances
The most significant event for the Indian modular kitchen industry - India Kitchen Congress – is around the corner. Industry professionals, investors, channel partners and suppliers will once againgather at this day to network, and learn from the gurus.
The venue for India Kitchen Congress 2012 is Hotel Leela Kempinski in Gurgaon, a Delhi suburb, and date April 27.This daylong event will comprise of a conference, displays, and awards. While displays will be on throughout the day, the IKC awards will be presented during the last session. In fact displayswill debut at this year’s conference, and will showcase suppliers of services, components and technologies for the kitchen industry. The conference itselfwill be split into various sessions before and after lunch, and will consist of presentations by experts and panel discussions amongst the movers and shakers of the industry.
However, the most significant part of the programme will be the CEO Round Table. In a panel discussion format, the round table will host heads of some of the most important modular kitchen retailers operating in India. In a free and frank discussion, leaders will talk about the challenges andopportunities faced by their companies, share their experiences, and answerqueries from the audience. In fact, this discussion will eventually become the industry’s growth template for thecoming year.
Delegates SpeakHere is what attendees of last year’s India Kitchen Congress have to say: “The speakers at IKC 2011 were truly amazing. I learnt a lot about the standardisation and customisation of kitchens. I look forward to learning about the role of stainless steel in the forthcoming conference.” “IKC enlightened me about the importance of the brand, and how it can be sustained over a period of time. I expect the organisers to focus on the total solution aspects of the business.” “We want the organisers to help us network with industry peers from across India round the year. This time we would like to meet more hardware and wood component companies. We also want an apex body to be set up for the industry.” “IKC is a well thought out concept that was well planned and executed. I wish the organisers of IKC the very best!” “I have already booked my flight for attending IKC 2012. Last year we enjoyed the sessions on branding and design, and request the organisers to dwell more upon these subjects again. I would also like to see IKC being organised in different cities.” “We got authoritative information about the market size and potential of the country’s modular kitchen market. In the forthcoming event, we want to see more participation from kitchen accessories, who are crucial for erecting an ideal kitchen.” “The event covered almost all the aspects connected to modular kitchen business. It will be wonderful if we are told well in advance about the speakers so that we can plan at our level.” |
The theme for IKC 2012 is ‘Building Winning Businesses’, in recognition of the fact that the modular kitchen business is not a standalone one but an alliance of component, service and logistics providers. It has been famouslysaid that ‘today it is not companies that compete but supply chains’. And nowhere does this apply more thanto the modular kitchen industry. So interdependent are all vendors of the value chain that the failure of one can seriously jeopardise theinterests of the entire chain. This is what will be brought forth at this year’s conference.
Another industry aspect being recognised is that two parallel retail tracks are emerging, the proprietary standalone outlet and the organised multiple outlet chain. The kitchen industryis incomplete without both, and they both need to be nurtured. It is for this reason that the title award –Kitchen Retailer of the Year – has been split into two, the Kitchen Retailer of the Year (Standalone) and Kitchen Retailer of the Year-Multiple outlet.
“Delegates will learn how a winning business can be built such that it not only attracts the best talent and channel partners, but also continuously produces designs that are best in class,”says Deepak Gupta (deepakgupta@bracecorp.net), conference director of India Kitchen Congress. He also informs that the Congress has its own page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IndiaKitchenCongress), as well as a discussion group on LinkedIn, the two important social media platforms for business. “Both these platforms are encouraging industry members to share ideas, conduct polls, and update others about their products and services.We feel they will continue to be extensions of the Congress, and also increase its awareness globally.”
Gupta says that the Congress is meeting at a time when international and Indian brands are gearing up forthe next decade’s opportunities and challenges being presented by a resurgent Indian marketplace. Organised retailing is a confirmed sunrise industry, while the customer has emerged as the king in an increasingly connected and competitive environment. Sensitivity to the environment is another challenge that is here to stay. In such a context, increasedprofessionalism is imperative, and short cuts are sure to have disastrousresults for small, medium or largeplayers alike.
Watch out for the WinnersTwo new awards have been added to the awards programme this year, to further broad base the recognition process. Entry is open and free, and will be accepted tillApril 1, 2012. Submissions can be made on-line. The awards are:
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The position of the Congress has been further strengthened by its strong partners. The principal sponsor for India Kitchen Congress 2012 is once again Hafele, the leading global brand in furniture components; while supporting sponsors till the time of going to press are MDF manufacturer Action Tesa and leading kitchenretailer Sleek International. Industry bodies Association of Furniture Manufacturers & Traders (India), and Retailers Association of India have extended their support. Storai, Sourcing Hardware and Sourcing Electricals & Lighting magazines are the media partners.
Mrinmoy Bhattacharjee
