HOSPITALITY

First-ever US Expo for Indian Hotel Furnishings Manufacturers

Dallas: The first-ever trade expos in the United States by Indiabased manufacturers of products for the hotel industry are being held in Dallas and in Atlanta. The events, featuring more than 100 suppliers, are scheduled for April 27 through 29 at the SLPS Event Center in Irving, Texas and May 4 through 6 at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia.

“People of Indian heritage are active throughout the U.S. hotel industry – as owners, as product specifiers, and as FF&E buyers,” said Harshal Bhagat, Chairman of the International Business Delegation for the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SGCCI), which is organizing and sponsoring the events.

“So it’s very appropriate that India’s leading manufacturers of hotel furnishings come here and demonstrate how they can help American hoteliers achieve their American dream.”

Admission to the trade shows is free, and booths will represent a wide variety of products, notably furniture, linens, fabrics, lighting, accessories, IT support, HVAC, and equipment for in-room technology and entertainment, for safety and security, and for fitness and spa.

Bhagat added, “This is a unique opportunity for American hoteliers to learn directly in face-toface conversations about the very significant savings they gain in costs and in timeline by ordering products from India compared to other off-shore sources.”

Specifically, Indian manufacturers offer a package of benefits that include much shorter lead times for production and shipping, together with duty charges about 20% lower and product costs that can be 20% to 35% lower, according to Bhagat.

“The very latest designs will be on display for hotel owners and developers, purchasing and procurement firms, architects, interior designers, and product specifiers at hotel brands,” according to Bhagat. “And many custom options are conveniently available.”

The SGCCI represents almost 10,000 individual members and about 140 associations. It has a rich history of organizing innovative trade shows such as Yarn Expo, Weaveknitt, Fiber 2 Fashion, Auto Expo, Energy International, and Food & Agritech Expo.

More information and “no cost” registration is available online at www.ifde.sgcci.in or by phone at 844-797-6111.

UH, India’s DGH Sign Geoscience Data MoU

Houston: – The University of Houston and the Directorate General Hydrocarbon (DGH), the technical arm of the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the UH-DGH Data Center, which will house a geoscience data repository with display capability and software to interpret key exploration and production (E&P) data and extensive knowledge of India’s sedimentary basins and fields.

The aim of this five-year agreement is to provide reliable and highquality information – including seismic, well, reservoir and production data – for research and development as well as to investors and companies based in the Greater Houston area and the Gulf Coast to encourage commercial opportunities involving Indian offshore offerings.

Houston, which is home to more than 4,500 energy companies and a key oil and gas hub, and UH, which is a Tier One research university with globally renowned researchers, were a natural strategic choice for the data center.

“This MoU is essentially an agreement to spur collaboration and combine the strengths of the involved parties for greater good,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation at UH. “UH is in Houston, the Energy Capital of the World and the DGH has this wonderful wealth of information in its National Data Repository. By working together, we will maximize the potential of this important data and it will serve as an excellent research foundation.”

The agreement was signed by Krishnamoorti on behalf of UH and Akash Goyal, addl. director general – coordination with DGH. The MoU helps strengthen the strategic partnership between the United States and India.