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Chokkapan S (cbedit@imaws.org)
The Tamil Nadu Hotels Association (TNHA), one of India’s most influential and widely networked hospitality trade bodies, is set to host an annual exhibition-cum-industry awareness event starting from 2026. The move marks a major new chapter in the association’s efforts to strengthen domestic collaboration, promote self-reliance and project Tamil Nadu’s leadership in the country’s HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants and Catering) segment.
In an exclusive interaction with Kitchen Herald, M. Venkadasubbu, President of the TNHA, announced the launch of the event to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, with the first edition scheduled for October 1, 2026. The proposed event — designed on the lines of AAHAR-The International Food and Hospitality Fair — will feature live demonstrations, supplier showcases and expert-led awareness sessions, making it one of the most ambitious initiatives undertaken by the association. Venkadasubbu spoke on the sidelines of a thanksgiving and felicitation event for hoteliers and restaurateurs from the Vellore region, where he shared the association’s broader vision for industry upliftment, domestic brand empowerment and skill development.
“We have concluded our discussions with the Chennai Trade Centre, and our first edition will take place on October 1, 2026. This will also be our tentative schedule for subsequent years,” Venkadasubbu told Kitchen Herald. “The goal is to make it an annual fixture that showcases Tamil Nadu’s hospitality strength and unites all stakeholders under one roof.”
AAHAR as the Model, with a Tamil Nadu Identity
The upcoming TNHA exhibition will emulate the scale and structure of AAHAR, while adopting a regional focus that highlights South Indian culinary traditions, equipment innovations and sustainability models. It will also feature industry participants from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, comprising Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry and Telangana.
The expo will host live product demonstrations by suppliers and the chefs or entrepreneurs who use them, allowing participants to witness the practical value of new technologies and ingredients. In addition, the platform will feature awareness sessions by industry leaders, experts and policymakers, covering a range of themes, such as digital transformation, waste management, hygiene standards and energy efficiency.
“AAHAR has shown how an exhibition can become a national melting pot for the food and hospitality ecosystem,” Venkadasubbu said. “We want to create a similar experience in the south, customised to our local strengths. Our event will be a space for learning, collaboration and exposure — something every hotelier, supplier and entrepreneur can benefit from.”
Carrying Forward the Spirit of the Boycott Movement
This announcement closely follows the association’s statewide boycott of American food and beverage products, which Kitchen Herald reported in September. That landmark initiative, launched in protest against U.S. tariffs on Indian exports, led to the revival of homegrown beverage brands such as Bovonto and Campa Cola, and encouraged members to adopt Tamil Nadu–based delivery platforms like Zaaroz. The movement, according to Venkadasubbu, was not just about rejecting foreign products, but about asserting India’s right to self-reliance and fair trade practices.
“Global beverage brands have been exploiting and polluting our country’s water sources for far too long,” he said categorically. “They take what is ours, sell it back to us in plastic bottles and leave behind environmental damage. It’s time we recognise our own strengths, our own brands and protect our resources.”
The forthcoming annual event, he added, will serve as a constructive continuation of that vision — turning boycott energy into a celebration of Indian entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.
A Platform for Policy, Progress and Partnership
The TNHA exhibition is envisaged as a comprehensive industry showcase, bringing together hoteliers, restaurateurs, suppliers, manufacturers, government representatives and training institutions. Apart from exhibition stalls and product launches, the event will host seminars and policy dialogues on challenges faced by the HoReCa sector — ranging from taxation and licensing to technology adoption and supply chain resilience.
“We want the government, both at the Centre and in the states, to give our industry the kind of recognition it deserves,” said Venkadasubbu. “The food and hospitality sector employs millions, contributes significantly to the economy and yet remains under-recognised in formal policymaking. We need more inputs in terms of GST and support systems to grow sustainably.”
The association also plans to invite industry experts, economists and innovators to deliver sessions aimed at raising awareness among members and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
Revisiting Skill Development and Workforce Challenges
Venkadasubbu also focused on the urgent need for skill development within the hospitality workforce. While acknowledging ongoing training initiatives by both government bodies and private enterprises, he emphasised the growing attitudinal gap among younger generations.
“We have unfortunately spoiled our younger generation,” he averred. “While governments run some upskilling programmes and food business owners offer practical, hands-on training, many youths are unwilling to learn the discipline and commitment that this industry demands. Skill development must be backed by a mindset change, and our exhibition will also highlight this concern through awareness sessions and live interactions.”
Reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s Industry Leadership
With over one lakh member establishments serving 70 million people, the Tamil Nadu Hotels Association wields unmatched influence over the region’s hospitality ecosystem. The upcoming Chennai Trade Centre exhibition, set to become a permanent fixture every October, will not only consolidate that leadership, but also position Tamil Nadu as south India’s gateway for HoReCa innovation and policy dialogue.
“We are proud to take this next step,” said Venkadasubbu. “From the boycott movement to industry-wide collaboration, our journey reflects one message — that Tamil Nadu’s hospitality sector stands united, confident and ready to lead India’s self-reliant growth story.”
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