The WOW Awards Asia, the largest business and recognition platform in Experiential Marketing, MICE, LIVE Entertainment, and the Wedding industry, is set to return for its 16th edition at the JIO World Convention Centre on June 20-21, 2025.
The awards are now open for entries across 106 categories, distributed among five distinct groups: Experiential Marketing Awards, Experiential Celebrations Awards, Experiential Tech Awards, Hotel & Venue Awards, and Live Quotient Awards.
With a meticulous two-phase judging process conducted by a distinguished panel of jury members and validated by EY, the ceremony promises to be a grand celebration of excellence. Each jury member is carefully chosen from diverse backgrounds with extensive industry experience, ensuring a fair and transparent evaluation to recognize the most deserving winners.
As the industry prepares to showcase its finest work in events and experiential marketing, Experiential Venues and LQ category, known as Group D & E, takes center stage.
Hotel & Venue known as Group D is the category that celebrates the best MICE & Wedding Venues of Metro India, destination India and destination Asia including Business Events, Intimate Weddings, Lifestyle/ Luxury Events, Big Fat Weddings, and Convention centers.
The LIVE Quotient Award known as Group E since its debut has strived to represent and showcase the industry’s buzziest LIVE Entertainers and Artists.
The esteemed Jury of LQ and Experiential Venues Group are:
Hema Hariramani, Founder & Director, Iskra Events and Celebrations
Hema Hariramani is the Co-Founder of Iskra Events and a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and event management industry. Known for her strategic vision and operational excellence, she has led events across corporate, wedding, and medical sectors globally. Her strength lies in client management, business development, and creating personalized, high-impact experiences for prestigious clients.
Priyal Mehta, Founder & Director, Niche Events
Priyal is the Founder of Niche Events, a boutique wedding planning company known for crafting bespoke and emotionally resonant celebrations since 2014. Driven by creativity and connection, she transitioned from intimate family events to managing 15–18 weddings annually. Her work ranges from lavish Indian weddings to elegant, intimate gatherings. A milestone moment was curating the wedding of the Sayaji Hotels founder’s daughter in 2020. With resilience and vision, Priyal aims to position Niche Events as a global leader in the wedding industry.
Priyank Mahajan, Co-Founder, Trailblaze Productions & Token Runaway
Priyank is a seasoned live event producer and curator whose career includes landmark events like the Sunburn Festival, Commonwealth Games 2010, ICC World Cup 2011, and Cirque du Soleil India. He has led major music tours and concerts for artists such as Divine, AP Dhillon, and Arijit Singh, while also contributing to cultural and spiritual events like Mahashivratri with Isha Foundation. Beyond live entertainment, Priyank is a pioneer in digital innovation, having launched India’s first invite-only NFT platform. His expertise bridges large-scale production, music culture, and emerging Web3 trends.
Puneet Budhiraja, Co-Founder, Modern Events
Puneet Budhiraja is the co-founder of Modern Events, known for orchestrating over 200 remarkable weddings and celebrations since 2017. With a knack for blending tradition and innovation, he brings a fresh, creative approach to event planning that has redefined modern celebrations. His leadership and eye for detail have positioned Modern Events as a standout name in the industry.
Saurabh Khurana, Chief Experiences Officer, Laqshya Live Experiences
Saurabh Khurana is the Director and Chief Experiences Officer at Laqshya Live Experiences, one of India’s leading experiential marketing agencies. With over two decades in the industry, he co-founded LLE and played a pivotal role in building the agency from the ground up. Known for his people-first leadership and mentoring style, Saurabh has been instrumental in growing LLE’s team, business, and reputation across the country.
Shaju Ignatius, Chief Evangelist-Live Events, Laqshya Media Group
Shaju Ignatius is a seasoned creative entrepreneur with three decades of experience in entertainment, live events, and experiential marketing. Known for his visionary approach and large-scale productions, he has been instrumental in iconic events like Michael Jackson’s India concert, IIFA Awards, Commonwealth Games 2010, and more. As a key leader at Laqshya Media Group, he continues to deliver groundbreaking experiences—recently leading major tours like Boris Brejcha and CAS X India. His mission remains rooted in building a sustainable, globally connected ecosystem for live entertainment in India.
Shobhit Jain, Director, The Event Casa
The founder of Event Casa, established in 2017, has led the brand to become a globally recognized name in luxury wedding planning, having executed over 300 weddings across 15 countries. Alongside co-founder Ashi Jain, they’ve built a presence in Mumbai, Surat, and Jaipur. Known for innovation—like India’s first wedding drone show—and a personalized, storytelling-led approach, their work has been featured by major industry platforms including DWP Congress and WeddingSutra. They were also featured in Event FAQs Media’s ’35 Under 35′ list.
Siddharth Bavishi, Founder, The Wedding Trunk
This individual is an international student, counselor, freelancer, and passionate enthusiast whose dedication and drive culminated in managing and directing a group of over 150 young individuals—a turning point that affirmed their leadership capabilities. With a strong desire to shape their environment and push beyond conventional limits, they’ve earned recognition and accolades. Their strengths lie not only in their professional passion but also in strategic networking and building meaningful connections, which have significantly influenced their perspective and growth.
Simardeep Singh Saluja, Founder & Director, Cassique Events
Mr. Simardeep Singh Saluja is the visionary founder of Classique Events, a prominent name in the event planning industry. With a strong academic foundation in Commerce, Law, and Accounting, along with leadership training from IIM Kozhikode, Mr. Saluja seamlessly blends business acumen with creative expertise. What started as a small venture has now flourished into a leading event planning company, driven by his dedication and commitment to excellence. His journey reflects his passion for delivering memorable experiences while excelling in both the business and creative aspects of the industry.
Siya Gupta, Founder & Creative Director, Siya Gupta Events and Experiences
Siya Gupta is the Founder and Creative Director of Siya Gupta Events and Experiences, a luxury wedding and event planning company renowned for its emotion-driven storytelling and guest-centric experiences. With over a decade in the industry, she has built one of India’s most prestigious boutique agencies, curating destination weddings and social events worldwide. Known for her creativity, cultural sensitivity, and attention to detail, Siya’s expertise has led her to work with high-profile clients such as Sonam Kapoor and David Beckham. Her work continues to redefine luxury event design and has been featured in leading publications.
Sneh Dalal, Managing Director, Globally Local Weddings and socials
Sneh Dalal is the founder and lead wedding planner of Globally Local Weddings and Events, with a decade of experience in curating exceptional weddings and events. Having executed over 100 weddings across 20 countries, he’s known for blending cultural diversity and local traditions in his work. Recognized in the 35 Under 35 category at the WOW Awards 2024, Sneh is celebrated for his attention to detail, creativity, and seamless event execution. His personalized approach and ability to adapt to different cultural nuances have solidified his reputation as a global leader in the wedding and event planning industry.
Sumithra Diwakar, Partner, Collective Heads EMSPL
Sumithra Diwakar is a seasoned events marketing professional with 17 years of experience in the industry. A postgraduate from NIEM, she has led large-scale events and BTL activations across various sectors, managing both offline and online events with exceptional results. Known for her strategic approach, attention to detail, and ability to thrive under pressure, Sumithra is highly regarded for her organizational excellence and dedication to delivering high-quality, creative experiences. Her extensive industry network and people skills have made her a trusted name in the events industry.
Yashvardhan Agarwal, Founder & Director, The Midas Touch
Yashvardhan Agarwal is the founder of The Midas Touch, a premium event management brand known for its excellence in luxury weddings and corporate events. At 29, he has built a reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences with attention to detail and innovation. With offices in Kolkata, Guwahati, and Siliguri, his company serves high-profile clients across India. Yashvardhan is also certified in Design Thinking & Innovation from IIM Indore.
