In its 9th edition now, the MahaTech will take place in Pune from January 10 to 13 at the New Agriculture College Ground as a platform for entrepreneurs who want to showcase their talent, upgrade and enhance their capacities and modernise their business. This was announced by Vinay Marathe, Director, Maharashtra Industries Directory, the company that organises the exhibition each year. "Such has been the overwhelming response this year that all the stalls were booked one month prior to the show dates and we have more than 20 potential exhibitors still requesting for space which we are unable to allot," he added during a media briefing in Pune.

MahaTech has been a purely industrial exhibition with no stalls for manufacturers or vendors of consumer goods. "We have been successful in providing manufacturers of industrial goods to display their latest products, machinery, equipment and developments in the industry for marketing and generating business, source requirements from all over India, generate one-to-one business meetings and networking opportunities, identify the latest market trends, locate new distributors and dealers, etc. Like its preceding exhibitions, it will provide an insight into the shape of things to come and inspire overall industrial growth," Marathe added.

The exhibition will have 250 participants and the expectation is that 30,000 to 40,000 industrialists will be visiting it over the course of four days from all over India and abroad. "We have five foreign participants this year and Indian companies with international tie-ups have invited their partners to visit the show. All sectors of industries with companies from large-scale to small-scale will be represented. The exhibition has been divided into four different hangers consisting of process industry equipments, electrical & electronics, engineering & machine tools and technical services & consultants. Some of the bigger names include Godrej & Boyce, Crompton Greaves, Kores India, etc," Marathe informed.

The exhibition has been organised on an area of 10,000 sq feet space. "Trade fairs have always been a prominent medium to promote products and services to a discerning target audience. However, an array of visitors alone does not form prospective buyers whereas targeted focused audience offer immense growth opportunities for every participant. Maharashtra Industries Directory, with the foundation of its unique publication, has streamlined the field of industrial trade fairs and technical conferences covering a wide range of industrial sectors," Marathe said. One of the special features of the exhibition this year is 'women power'. According to Marathe, the number of women industrialists has been on the rise and this year up to 15 per cent of the exhibiting companies are headed by women CEOs.

"As such, the event will be inaugurated by three women viz. Vaishali Bankar (Mayor, Pune), Sulajja Firodia (Joint Managing Director, Kinetic Engineering) and Smita Yashwant Ghaisas (Managing Director, Minilec India P Ltd). Speaking about what lies ahead, Marathe said that the company is now planning to organise a virtual exhibition in about two to three years' time. "India has still not experimented with this medium since internet connectivity was restricted. But now it may be possible and we may have the first mover advantage," Marathe said. This year's MahaTech has been co-sponsored by Marks Pryor Marketing Technology P Ltd, PVSS Cranes & Components and CNC Ballscrews and Bearing Co P Ltd. For more information about the expo, visit www.maha-tech.com.