IHGF Delhi Fair 2024: IHGF Confers Awards & Recognition for Best Display in 12 Categories

Greater Noida/ Delhi NCR – 20th October 2024 – The 58th IHGF Delhi Fair – Autumn 2024, held from 16th to 20th October 2024 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida Expressway, concluded with a Valedictory Ceremony and the Ajai Shankar Memorial Awards for Best Design Display. This momentous occasion saw the presence of Imran Masood, Member of Parliament, Saharanpur “Chief Guest” and Shahnawaz khan Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chief Mentor in a role of Director General, EPCH and Chairman-IEML;  Girish K. Agarwal, President, IHGF Delhi Fair Reception Committee-Autumn 2024; Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman, EPCH;  Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman II, EPCH; EPCH COA Members: Ravi Passi,  Avdesh Aggarwal, Arshad Mir, Naved Ur Rehman, Salman Azam, Pradeep Muchhala, Jesmina Zeliang, O P Prahladka and R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH; and other prominent overseas buyers as well as other leading member exporters. The Display Awards were given away in 12 categories.

Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH, informed, “Supported well by the global sourcing community over the years, the renowned IHGF Delhi Fair successfully concluded its 58th edition, featuring over 3,000 exhibitors, curated displays, and various ancillary events. Buyers were pleased to see our commitment to sustainability, a shared global concern. They appreciated the contemporary and stylish range of crafts, home décor, furniture, furnishings, artisanal textiles, dry flowers, potpourri, natural fibre products, handcrafted fashion jewellery, and accessories showcased by our exhibitors. All items adhered to current and emerging international market trends, making them highly sought-after.”

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chief Mentor in the role of Director General, EPCH & Chairman, IEML added, “Drawing big international brands, importers, wholesale biggies, sourcing agents and retail entities, the fair in its astounding days has kept all busy with enquiries, order finalising and sample collection, defining the impetus. The event has seen dynamic sourcing efforts and a steady flow of visitors. International buyers from various countries, along with purchasing agents and major domestic retailers from India, gathered at the fairgrounds to engage with our exhibitors drawn from all over India showcasing a defining entity of their own. This has been most fulfilling for buyers. First time visitors are keen to visit again. All participants look forward to the IHGF Delhi Fair Spring 2025 edition with great anticipation.”

An IHGF patron and sourcing from suppliers, he met at this fair since its first editions, Ian Snow from UK shared, “I am a frequent visitor at the fair, always on the lookout for unique items like furniture and sustainable products. What draws me are the products that showcase creativity and originality, something no one else is doing.” Ingo Winterhoff, a buyer from Germany who has attended this show many times added, “I am always in search of distinctive furniture and inspiration, especially the Indian furniture products crafted from beautiful wood like sheesham and mango wood. I’m excited about the possibility of making some great deals this time around too!” Another buyer from Germany, Martina Mensing shared, “I have been visiting the fair for over 10 years, so I am quite familiar with the layout and offerings. My focus is on decorative garden products, the ones with Indian craftsmanship, which is why I specifically chose to source items here; they are handmade, unique, and beautifully crafted.”

Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman, EPCH, “Buyers explored new product lines from new suppliers and innovative offerings from familiar vendors. Several orders were confirmed, with more expected to follow in post-show engagements. From decorative accents to repurposed home essentials, buyers were captivated by products that stood out and sparked curiosity. Furniture and furnishings remained highly sought after, with home textiles, decorative and garden ornamentation expected to gain strong momentum once again. Indian manufacturers’ sustainable practices and eco-friendly products showcased at the fair also garnered significant attention.”

Girish K Agarwal, Fair President, IHGF Delhi Fair–Autumn 2024 thanked fair exhibitors, visiting buyers, sourcing consultants and their representatives and press and media for their continuous support for making 58th IHGF Delhi Fair a great success and we believe that the next edition i.e. 59th IHGF Delhi Fair – Spring’2025 from 16-19 April 2025 will be a grand event as well.

President- IHGF Delhi Fair further added that “Approximately 7,730 buyers and buying representatives from 108 countries including USA, UK, UAE, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Germany, Australia, Japan, Russia and many more visited the fair that resulted in business enquiries worth Rs. 3,500 crores. Buying representatives from companies/ departmental stores from Home Depot, TJX, Cosmo, Bed bath Beyond, Home Centre, Masion Du Monde, Edelman, Ross, XXXLUTZ, Home & Garden, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Edwilan SRO, Scandinavian Souvenir, Terres Et Coulers, Inditime Imports, Retif Group, Woolworth, Bruco, Wraps.co, PQC Co. Ltd., Misawa & Co. Ltd., Al Diwan Centre, Shishi Home Beauty, El Corte Ingles, Mango Home, Worldwide Reproduction and many more visited the fair. Supporting events at the fair, including knowledge seminars on various topics related to the sector, ramp presentations and on-site facilities at the fair, made the experience fulfilling for both exhibitors and buyers.” The fair was also visited by a large number of domestic volume buyers.

R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH added, “The Ajai Shankar Memorial Awards for Best Design Display were given in the 12 product categories including Bags, Scarves, Ties & Accessories; Lamps, Lighting and Accessories; Bathroom Accessories; Candle, Incense Sticks, Potpourri & Aromatics; Christmas & Festival Decorations; Decorative Gifts including Corporate Gifts; Fashion Jewellery, Canvas/Cotton/Jute/Leather Bags, Scarves, Ties & Accessories, Handcrafted Garments including Chikankari & Zardozi and Accessories; Handmade Paper, Gift Wraps & Ribbon including Soft Toys; Home Textiles, Furnishings, and Floor Coverings; Lamps, Lighting & Accessories; Sustainable Products; and Special Recommendation as a Govt. Organisation. The P N Suri Memorial Awards for Best Design Display were given for Furniture, Furniture Hardware & Accessories including Natural Fibre & Eco-friendly Products; and Housewares, Tableware, Kitchenware & Hotel ware including EPNS. Complete list of awardees is appended below. (LIST ENCLOSED)

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts is a nodal agency for promotion of exports of handicrafts from the Country and create brand image of magic of the gifted hands of millions of artisans and crafts persons engaged in production of home, lifestyle, textiles, furniture and fashion jewellery & accessories products in different craft clusters of the country. The overall Handicrafts exports during the year 2023-24 was The overall Handicrafts exports during the year 2023-24 was Rs. 32,758 Crores (US $ 3,956 Million) informed R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.