Tourism Breaking News
The EEMA Spotlight Awards 2025, held at the vibrant Club Riviera, Gurugram on Saturday, 24 May 2025, was a resounding success, bringing together the crème de la crème of the event and experiential industry to celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to turn dreams into reality.
The evening kicked off on a powerful note with the soul-stirring rhythms of The Mangal Naad Band, setting the tone for a celebration rooted in emotion and excellence. This was followed by a deeply moving original poem by Aditya Malik, emcee & scriptwriter, reflecting on the Spotlight journey and evoking heartfelt nostalgia across the audience.
With finesse and energy, Sahithya and Mitin, the emcees for the evening, seamlessly hosted the awards while weaving in spectacular performances and moments of celebration. A power-packed opening act by Laadi Maa and her troupe left the audience awe-struck, setting the stage for an unforgettable night.
Viraf Sarkari, esteemed Jury Chair and Co-founder of Wizcraft International Entertainment, addressed the audience and provided insights into the robust and transparent judging process, conducted under the esteemed supervision of Ernst & Young.
The true spotlight of the evening remained steadfastly on the vendor partners—the backbone of the experiential industry. Samit Garg, President, EEMA, in a heartfelt address, emphasised, “The Spotlight Awards are not about glitz or glamour. They are about the people who make the stage possible. Our vendor partners are the true heroes—without them, there is no spotlight.”
The night’s most emotional moment came with the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred upon Vijay Batra, Director of Rama Tent House. Celebrated for his decades-long contribution to the industry, Batra has helped shape the success of countless event agencies.
“Batra is a true stalwart—his work ethic, innovation, and humility have inspired generations. This recognition is long overdue,” said Ruchin Kohli, Vice President, North, EEMA.
Vijay Arora, Director, Touchwood Group and Chair, EEMA Spotlight Awards, remarked, “The Spotlight Awards is more than just a night of trophies—it is a reminder that greatness lies in collaboration, humility, and silent perseverance. These heroes do not just build events—they build dreams.”
Echoing the sentiment, Rajeev Jain, Director, Rashi Entertainment and Co-chair, Spotlight Awards, EEMA, said, “As someone who has witnessed the industry evolve, it fills my heart with pride to see our community finally celebrate the hands that build our visions—the real game-changers.”
Reflecting on the evening, Atul Chabra, Founder & Director, Enthuse Answers and Spotlight Committee Lead, EEMA, said, “Spotlight 2025 was not just an event—it was a heartfelt tribute. My goal was to ensure that every vendor partner felt truly seen, celebrated, and honoured. The passion, sweat, and love they bring to every project often go unnoticed, and this night was our collective ‘thank you’ to them.”
Over 119 awards were presented across 50+ categories, acknowledging the diverse excellence within the industry. Between award segments, stellar performances lit up the evening—Shankar Mahadevan delivered a powerful and patriotic performance with his rendition from Lakshya, followed by electrifying sets from Bismil and Jasbir Jassi, raising the energy and spirits of the audience.
The celebration continued into the night with an afterparty powered by the Suryaveer Band, where guests let their hair down and danced with joy and camaraderie—proof once again that when it comes to crafting unforgettable memories, EEMA does it best.
