Founder & Experiential Business Strategist | Exclusive Interview
TheCconnects: Arvind, your journey from entrepreneur to CEO of Maagoi India is remarkable. Can you share how this journey began and what inspired you to create a corporate events and destination management company?
Arvind Kumar: Certainly. My professional journey began in 2008, in the hospitality and corporate travel space. I quickly realized that while India was growing in the corporate sector, there was a huge gap between client expectations and service delivery, especially in the events space. Companies were investing significant resources, yet outcomes were often underwhelming.
That insight sparked the idea for Maagoi India in 2012. I wanted to create a business that didn’t just organize events but transformed them into strategic business experiences. Today, we’ve successfully delivered over 4,500 events across India and Asia, each designed to add tangible business value while creating memorable experiences.
TheCconnects: Delivering over 4,500 events is an impressive feat. What core philosophy drives Maagoi India’s operations?
Arvind Kumar: Three strategic pillars define our approach. First, end-to-end ownership-from logistics, travel, production, hospitality, to on-ground execution. This ensures accountability and high-quality outcomes.
Second, sector specialization. We focus on industries like Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Energy, Finance, IT, Infrastructure, and PSUs. By understanding their unique requirements, we create repeatable, reliable solutions.
Third, lean scalability. We aim to grow big while staying smart, efficient, and light. A capable core team, supported by partners across India and Asia, allows us to deliver complex events with precision and speed.
TheCconnects: Who or what has influenced your leadership approach the most?
Arvind Kumar: I would say two influences shaped me. Professionally, observing global leaders in hospitality and event management showed me the value of operational precision and guest experience. Personally, my upbringing taught me the importance of empathy and service.
I believe business is not just about execution; it’s about understanding the people you serve-clients, delegates, and teams. Balancing systems with empathy has been a guiding principle for Maagoi.
TheCconnects: The events industry is known for its unpredictability. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Arvind Kumar: One challenge was scaling a service-oriented business without compromising quality. Events are live, and mistakes can have visible consequences. Another challenge was standardizing operations while keeping room for creativity.
We overcame these by creating SOPs for sourcing, logistics, contingency planning, and using technology for real-time coordination. AV integration, live dashboards, and delegate tracking became central to our operational model. It allowed us to scale efficiently while ensuring that each event met our high standards.
TheCconnects: Maagoi India works with Fortune 500 clients and diverse sectors. How do you ensure your services solve real client pain points?
Arvind Kumar: We start by understanding business objectives, not just event requirements. Every event is designed as a business engine-to strengthen pipelines, motivate employees, enhance brand visibility, and improve customer engagement.
We also track key metrics, such as delegate satisfaction (NPS), cost-per-delegate, and on-site issues, to measure impact and identify areas for improvement. Modular service packages give clients flexibility while maintaining consistent quality. The end goal is always strategic outcomes, not just flawless execution.
TheCconnects: With digital platforms transforming event promotion and engagement, what do you see as the biggest challenge for brands in the digital age?
Arvind Kumar: The biggest challenge is cutting through noise while maintaining authenticity. Many brands focus on flashy campaigns or metrics, but forget the core experience. In today’s digital age, engagement is shallow if it’s not backed by real value.
For us, integrating digital touchpoints-event apps, live streaming, social media amplification-is important. But it’s always in service of the overall experience. Digital tools should enhance, not replace, the human element of events.
TheCconnects: Beyond your professional work, how do you recharge and find balance?
Arvind Kumar: I travel extensively, not just for business, but to gain fresh perspectives. Experiencing different cultures and hospitality practices fuels creativity. I also dedicate time to mentoring young entrepreneurs, sharing insights, and learning from their challenges. On a personal level, I value family time and simple moments of reflection-it helps me stay grounded in a high-pressure industry.
TheCconnects: You’ve been recognized with honors like the Nandi Puraskaralu 2021. What key lessons from your career would you share with aspiring entrepreneurs?
Arvind Kumar: Several lessons stand out. First, systems and structure are crucial, even in creative industries. SOPs, contingency planning, and KPI tracking are not just administrative-they’re the backbone of scalable growth.
Second, empathy matters. Understanding clients, employees, and partners enables trust, loyalty, and repeat business.
Third, flexibility and adaptability are non-negotiable. The ability to pivot based on circumstances-market trends, client expectations, or unforeseen events-keeps you competitive.
And finally, never underestimate the power of team alignment. A passionate, capable, and empowered team is the differentiator between good and extraordinary execution.
TheCconnects: Corporate events often involve high stakes. How do you ensure Maagoi’s events consistently exceed client expectations?
Arvind Kumar: We combine experienced talent with smart technology. From AV integration to real-time dashboards, every component is monitored and optimized. Celebrity engagements or PR support further amplify impact.
But above all, it’s about attention to detail-every timeline, every touchpoint, every logistic is meticulously planned. This preparation, combined with an empowered team on the ground, allows us to create seamless experiences even in complex, multi-location events.
TheCconnects: Looking ahead, where do you see Maagoi India in the next 5–10 years?
Arvind Kumar: Our vision is to continue expanding across India and Asia, delivering strategic business events that generate measurable outcomes. We want to deepen sector expertise, innovate with technology, and make Maagoi synonymous with excellence, reliability, and scalable experiences.
In essence, we aim to empower every client, delegate, and partner we engage with to achieve more, while enjoying the journey.
TheCconnects: Finally, what advice would you give to entrepreneurs aspiring to make their mark in the corporate events or hospitality sector?
Arvind Kumar: First, focus on impact, not just output. Events should create tangible business outcomes, not just memories. Second, build scalable systems without killing creativity. SOPs and metrics are your allies, not constraints. Third, lead with empathy-understanding your client, team, and audience is the ultimate differentiator.
And lastly, embrace continuous learning. The industry evolves fast, and staying ahead requires curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to experiment responsibly.
