The Birth of TRENDZ Exhibitions

In 2010, the Indian exhibition industry was largely unorganized, leaving small and medium enterprises struggling to find platforms that could propel their businesses into the spotlight

Enter Santhi Kathiravan, a visionary entrepreneur with a mission to bridge the gap between sellers and buyers. Armed with a deep understanding of the market and a passion for supporting local businesses, Santhi founded TRENDZ Exhibitions, a venture that would soon revolutionize the way exhibitions were perceived and executed across South India.

From its humble beginnings, TRENDZ Exhibitions quickly became a trusted name, synonymous with quality and reliability. What started as a single event soon grew into a network of over 600 offline exhibitions across South India. These events provided a much-needed platform for budding entrepreneurs, weavers, and designers, giving them a platform and an opportunity to showcase their products to a larger audience without the overhead costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

The Visionary Behind TRENDZ Exhibitions

Santhi Kathiravan's journey is nothing short of inspirational. With 13 years of experience in organizing live events across South India and an additional four years in corporate experience, Santhi was well-equipped to navigate the challenges of the exhibition industry. Her dedication and hands-on approach played a pivotal role in TRENDZ Exhibitions' success.

Santhi's vision extended beyond just organizing events. She saw an opportunity to create a sustainable ecosystem for sellers, especially in an era where e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, etc are dominating the market. Santhi recognized the potential of exhibitions not just as a marketplace but as a launchpad for emerging designers and entrepreneurs. By offering a platform where sellers could connect directly with their target audience, TRENDZ Exhibitions helped stabilize their entrepreneurial journeys.

Why Online Marketplace?

While the offline exhibition model proved to be highly successful, Santhi Kathiravan understood the evolving needs of the market. The rise of e-commerce, coupled with the challenges posed by the global pandemic, underscored the importance of having an online presence. The shift towards digital was not just a trend but a necessity, and Santhi was quick to recognize this.

The idea of launching an online marketplace was born out of the need to adapt to the changing landscape. An online platform would not only complement the existing offline exhibitions but also provide a 24/7 marketplace for sellers. This would allow them to reach a wider audience without being limited by geographical boundaries or the constraints of time-bound events.

By transitioning to a digital platform, sellers can maintain a continuous online presence, ensuring steady sales and better inventory management.

The Transition to Digital: Challenges and Triumphs

Launching an online marketplace is not without its challenges. Sellers are accustomed to the traditional exhibition model and find it challenging to embrace a digital platform due to various reasons. The task lies in educating sellers about the benefits of e-commerce, from reaching a broader customer base to the convenience of online transactions.

Creating a user-friendly platform both for sellers and buyers is another challenge. We're working tirelessly to ensure a intuitive, easy to navigate, and secure marketplace. We're working on strategies to drive traffic to the platform, ensuring that sellers would see the same level of success online as they did in the offline exhibitions.

Despite the challenges, the transition is essential.

The Way Forward: A Hybrid Model of Success

Santhi Kathiravan envisions a hybrid model where offline exhibitions and the online marketplace work in tandem to create a seamless shopping experience. The offline events will continue to provide a physical platform for sellers to connect with customers, while the online marketplace will ensure their products are accessible pan India.

The hybrid model also allows for greater flexibility. Sellers can choose to participate in both offline and online events, depending on their business needs. This approach not only maximizes their reach but also minimizes risks associated with relying solely on one channel.

In addition to expanding the online marketplace, TRENDZ Exhibitions plans to introduce new features that cater to the evolving needs of sellers and buyers.

Conclusion

The journey of TRENDZ Exhibitions is a testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and resilience. From its inception as a series of successful offline exhibitions to its evolution into a online marketplace, the brand wants to stayed ahead of the curve. Under the leadership of Santhi Kathiravan, TRENDZ Exhibitions has not only provided a platform for sellers to thrive but has also set the stage for the future of the exhibition industry.

As the brand continues to innovate and expand, the hybrid model of offline and online exhibitions promises to offer even greater opportunities for sellers and buyers alike. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, TRENDZ Exhibitions is poised to lead the way in the exhibition industry.