Sajid Desai appointed NürnbergMesse India CEO

NürnbergMesse India, a subsidiary of NürnbergMesse, one of the world's largest exhibition companies, has appointed Sajid Desai as the CEO for its operations effective December 1, 2016.

A seasoned professional with over 25 years' experience, Desai will drive the NürnbergMesse India business in its next growth phase. He will operate out of the company's offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

Desai will report directly to the Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of NürnbergMesse India, Ms. Sonia Prashar.

In a joint statement, the CEOs of the NürnbergMesse Group, Peter Ottmann and Dr Roland Fleck, said, "We are pleased to have engaged a strong business professional and an exhibition industry expert in Sajid Desai. His vast experience of the local Indian market and his superior networking and business skills will be a great impetus to push forward NürnbergMesse's growth strategy in India be it through acquisition or organic growth. He knows how the local exhibition market ticks, and has the specialist knowledge we require."

Sonia Prashar, Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of NürnbergMesse India added: "We welcome Sajid to the NürnbergMesse family in India and worldwide. I have known Sajid over the last few years and have witnessed his career growth. Sajid brings with him excellent client management and people skills. With his strong capabilities in partnership- and alliance-building, Sajid will be a great asset to further strengthen our India business."

Desai has extensive sales, marketing and business development experience in business-to-business (B2B) and special interest projects in exhibitions, events, media and online. His last position was Country Director of DMG Events in India. Previous assignments include the senior position of Group Director at UBM India. He has also worked as General Manager for the Indian Express Newspapers (B2B and International Division) where he was instrumental in setting up one of India's leading B2B Publishing and Trade Fair entities.

Besides growing NürnbergMesse's existing and new projects in the country, Desai and his team will be working to increase the presence of Indian exhibitors and visitors at NürnbergMesse's highly specialised trade fairs around the world.