On the eve of India Internet World 2000-the annual Internet event which is marketed as a joint property of the Microland Group and Penton Media in India, the theme at the curtain-raiser is sobering: ``Towards A Mature Internet Economy''. One bellwether of that trend: a marked rise in the exhibitors who are being referred to as ``real businesses'' among the organizers. Given the backdrop of a shakeout in the Internet sector, its hardly surprising that the event has seen a drop in the number of pure play dotcoms compared to the previous year. Caveat: though in absolute terms the numbers may show a rise, there is no dispute among the organizers that in percentage terms there are far fewer pure play dotcom exhibitors this time around. But on the positive side, there is far more integration happening between the brick and the click economy."Internet World is something of a barometer that reflects the change in every Internet market that it operates in," says Michael Westcott, managing director, Asia Pacific, Penton Media Inc. "We are seeing a number of exhibitors who are services or technology players, we also have brick-and-mortar companies with Net strategies. The scene has moved beyond companies trying to create a noise to ramp up valuations, the floor is full of real services now and its a sign of a mature market," he adds.
For the first time, Old Economy companies like Global Trust Bank, Asian Paints and Travel Corporation of India are jousting for space with leading domestic and international publishing groups (Express Computers, India Today Group Online, Business World, Fortune, Time, MediaTransasia), scores of solutions providers (Aditi Technologies, Aptech, iFlex Solutions, DBS Internet, Plexus Tech) and of course the full broadband of telecom, media and technology companies. The focus areas at IIW2000 are wireless technologies, convergence, new appliances, B2B strategies, advertising and broadband. The event which is being housed on 2,25,000 sq feet will showcase 173 participants. India Internet World is the third largest outside of the US for the Internet World property according to Westcott. "In terms of visitors India figures much higher but in terms of business conducted its the third largest outside of the US," qualifies Westcott. "We have seen a surge in demand from exhibitors also due to the improvement ininfrastructure particularly bandwidth," says Pradip Kar, Chairman, Microland Group. Addressing the media at the curtain-raiser, Kar also said that he expected bandwidth constraints in the country to ease up further within the next twelve months. This is particularly relevant if India is to position itself as a premier services provider.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.