EEMA Spotlight Awards 2026 recognises excellence across India's events ecosystem

More than 135 awards were presented across 65 categories as EEMA celebrated the professionals, partners and pioneers driving India's experiential ecosystem

by e4m Staff
Published: Jun 25, 2026 1:11 PM | 3 min read

EEMA Spotlight Awards 2026 recognises excellence across India's events ecosystem

The Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) hosted the Spotlight Awards 2026 on June 19 in Gurugram, recognizing excellence in India's events and experiential ecosystem with over 135 awards across 65 categories.
The event highlighted the contributions of behind-the-scenes professionals, including production specialists and technical partners, while honoring notable figures like Varinder Wadhwa, Davinder Wadhwa, and Navneet Wadhwa with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other awards included the Lifetime Musical Achievement Award for Daler Mehndi, the Pop Icon Award for Navraj Hans, and the Youth Icon Award for Kubbra Sait, alongside live performances from various artists.
The awards emphasized the importance of collaboration in the events industry and the growing sophistication of India's experiential economy, which is increasingly recognized through platforms like the Spotlight Awards.

The Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) brought together leading professionals, partners and industry stakeholders for the Spotlight Awards 2026, recognising excellence across India's events and experiential ecosystem while celebrating the often-unseen contributors who help bring large-scale experiences to life.

Held on June 19 at A DOT in Gurugram, the awards ceremony honoured achievements across the events and entertainment value chain, with more than 135 awards presented across 65 categories. The annual platform has emerged as one of the industry's key recognitions for excellence in event production, technical execution, innovation, partnerships and experiential delivery.

This year's edition placed particular emphasis on acknowledging the professionals working behind the scenes, from production specialists and technical partners to creative collaborators and operational teams who play a critical role in delivering live experiences.

One of the evening's highest honours, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Varinder Wadhwa, Davinder Wadhwa and Navneet Wadhwa of Modern Stage Services. The recognition celebrated the family's contribution to India's events industry over more than five decades and their role in supporting some of the country's largest live productions and entertainment experiences.

The Spotlight Awards also recognised regional industry leaders through its Outstanding Contribution Awards. Warren D'Souza was honoured for the West region, Surat Singh Malhotra received recognition for the South, while Manoj Singh was recognised for his contribution to the East region.

Beyond industry achievements, the event also celebrated excellence in entertainment. Veteran singer and performer Daler Mehndi was presented with the Lifetime Musical Achievement Award, acknowledging his longstanding impact on India's music and live entertainment landscape. Singer Navraj Hans received the Pop Icon Award, while actor Kubbra Sait was honoured with the Youth Icon Award.

The evening combined recognition with live entertainment, featuring performances by folk artist Mame Khan, singer Raja Hasan, DJ Veronika, Rahasya – The Musical Project, Tishul Percussionist and the Zenith Group of Dancers.

Speaking about the significance of the platform, Vijay Arora, Chairperson of the Spotlight Awards Committee, said the awards were created to recognise the professionals and partners who contribute to the industry's success behind the scenes.

"Spotlight Awards was created to celebrate the backbone of our industry — the partners and professionals who bring ideas to life behind the scenes. Each year, we see the bar being raised, and 2026 has truly showcased the scale, innovation, and excellence that define India's experiential ecosystem today," he said.

Atul Chabbra, Spotlight Awards Committee Member, highlighted the credibility and industry relevance of the platform, noting that the awards recognise genuine impact and execution excellence across the sector.

Meanwhile, Ruchin Kohli, VP North and Co-Chair of the Spotlight Awards Committee, emphasised the collaborative nature of the events business and the role that multiple stakeholders play in creating successful experiences.

The recognition comes at a time when India's experiential economy continues to expand, driven by growing investments in live events, entertainment, cultural experiences, brand activations and destination-led engagements. As the sector becomes increasingly sophisticated, industry platforms such as the Spotlight Awards are playing a growing role in recognising talent, innovation and operational excellence across the ecosystem.

More than an awards ceremony, Spotlight Awards 2026 served as a celebration of the creativity, collaboration and commitment that continue to shape India's rapidly evolving events and experiential industry.