The WOW Awards Asia, the region’s largest platform celebrating excellence in Experiential Marketing, MICE, Live Entertainment, and the Wedding Industry, is set to return for its 17th edition at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, on July 3-4, 2026.
Maintaining its commitment to transparency and credibility, the awards will once again feature a rigorous two-stage judging process conducted by an esteemed panel of industry leaders and independently validated by EY. Carefully selected from diverse sectors and professional backgrounds, the jury brings a wealth of expertise and perspective to ensure that the most deserving work receives recognition.
As the industry continues to raise the bar in innovation and execution, the spotlight turns to the Experiential Tech Awards (Group C). This category celebrates the specialist service providers and supplier partners who bring creative concepts to life through exceptional technical expertise and flawless execution.
Dedicated exclusively to the backbone of the experiential industry, Group C recognizes excellence across production management, stage engineering, lighting, special effects, projection mapping, fabrication, hospitality logistics, catering, and show operations. It honors the professionals and organizations whose innovation, precision, and problem-solving skills create seamless, immersive, and memorable live experiences.
As technology continues to redefine the possibilities of live experiences, the Experiential Tech Awards remain a benchmark for recognizing the technical excellence and innovation that bring the industry’s most ambitious ideas to life.
The esteemed Jury of Experiential Tech Group are:
Anna Robb – CEO, StageLync
Anna Robb is a globally recognized entertainment and production leader with over 25 years of experience delivering world-class live experiences across five continents. Having worked with iconic organizations such as Cirque du Soleil and Dragone, she is known for leading large-scale productions, fostering global collaboration, and creating innovative entertainment experiences that push the boundaries of live events and immersive storytelling.
Cajetan Afonso – Founder & Director, Hueman Creative
Cajetan Afonso is the Founder & Creative Director of Hueman Creative, with over 22 years of experience in live visual storytelling, projection mapping, and immersive content creation. Renowned for transforming large-scale events through cutting-edge visuals, anamorphic illusions, and innovative screen experiences, he continues to push the boundaries of creativity in the live entertainment and experiential industry.
Dhruv Jagasia – CEO, Big Bad Wolf
Dhruv Jagasia is the CEO & Founder of Big Bad Wolf Entertainment and a veteran of India’s entertainment industry with over two decades of experience across music, film, festivals, comedy, and live events. From helping shape iconic properties like NH7 Weekender to producing acclaimed content and managing leading artists and international tours, he is widely recognized for driving innovation and creating impactful experiences across the entertainment ecosystem.
Dian Micheal Harcovecchio – Casting Director, Production & Logistics Manager, Shy Music
Dian Harcovecchio is a theatre and production professional from South Africa with over a decade of experience across 300+ productions, festivals, and live events internationally. Currently serving as Casting Director and Production Manager at Shy Music, he is known for his expertise in stage management, technical operations, touring logistics, and large-scale production execution, bringing professionalism and precision to every live experience.
Gagan Takyar – Founder, Thrive Live Events and Team Tandem Events LLC
Gagan Takyar is a live entertainment industry veteran with over 25 years of experience producing concerts, festivals, corporate events, and large-scale public celebrations across global markets. As the Founder of Thrive Live Events, he has successfully delivered world-class entertainment experiences across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond, combining creative vision with expertise in artist touring, event production, and international event management.
Gaurav Garg – Founder, Eventfulindia
Gaurav Garg is the Founder & CEO of Eventful India, with over 25 years of experience creating large-scale festivals, concerts, and cultural showcases across India. Renowned for transforming public spaces into immersive experiences, he combines culture, tourism, and storytelling to deliver impactful events that celebrate heritage, foster community engagement, and strengthen destination branding.
Hamza Kazi – Head of Artist Relations & Development, The Hello Group
Hamza Kazi is the Head of Music at Dharma Cornerstone Agency, with over 14 years of experience across artist management, music marketing, and entertainment business. A professional musician and industry leader, he has worked with some of India’s biggest artists, combining business strategy with creative expertise to build impactful music brands, live experiences, and successful artist careers.
Jon Allen – Director, SkySeaStone Productions
Jon Allen is a veteran production and creative leader with over four decades of experience in design, technical production, and live entertainment. As Director at SkySeaStone Productions, he has contributed to globally iconic projects ranging from the Vegas Sphere and Formula 1 to major brand experiences for NASA, Ford, Mercedes, and VISA, delivering innovative, technically complex, and story-driven productions on a global scale.
Kat Chin – Stage Manager, Opera Atelier
Kat Chin is an accomplished stage manager with extensive experience across theatre, opera, dance, and live events. Known for her work on acclaimed productions including Kim’s Convenience and collaborations with leading organizations such as the Stratford Festival, National Ballet of Canada, and TIFF, she is also a dedicated mentor and advocate for the global stage management community.
María Dávila – Showcaller
María Dávila is a Madrid-based showcaller and live events professional with extensive experience across corporate events, musical theatre, opera, and broadcast productions. Known for managing complex international shows in high-pressure environments, she combines strong production expertise with a multicultural perspective, delivering seamless live experiences for global audiences and clients.
