India AI Impact Summit 2026: Operations Brief for Hospitality and Event Teams in New Delhi
New Delhi is getting a citywide refresh ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The focus of the summit: inclusive AI and global cooperation. Expect high-profile delegations, tight coordination with authorities, and heavy movement around key venues.
Use this briefing to plan staffing, logistics, guest communication, and vendor operations.
Key dates and venues
- Feb 19, 2026: Main summit at Bharat Mandapam.
- Feb 16-20, 2026: Public AI exhibitions at Central Park, Connaught Place.
- Side meetings: Vigyan Bhawan, Hyderabad House, Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Ambedkar Bhawan, select five-star hotels, and the India Gate area.
- Tourist corridors under upgrade: Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden, Humayun's Tomb, Delhi Haat, Nehru Park.
Citywide upgrades that affect operations
- 41 avenue roads under NDMC are being repaired: potholes filled, footpaths fixed, damaged grills replaced, dividers repainted, and signs improved.
- Streetlights targeted for 100% functionality; dark spots are being removed. Decorative lighting will add a festival feel.
- Overhead cables near monuments are being removed to clean up sightlines.
- "Operation Clean" is in progress across all 14 NDMC circles, starting with Connaught Place.
- Horticulture refresh: seasonal flowers, planters, and tidied roundabouts; sculptures and fountains restored.
- Air quality measures include smog guns, water sprinklers, and mist sprayers. Action is planned against polluters.
- NDMC will run a dedicated control room and coordinate with traffic police and security agencies for delegate movement and parking.
- Stray animals will be removed from crowded areas for safety.
What hotels and venues should plan for
- Guest comms: Share simple advisories on expected traffic, suggested arrival windows, and alternative routes for event days.
- Access and parking: Pre-clear drop-off points and parking plans with your venue partners; sync with NDMC/traffic updates.
- Event transport: Lock in shuttles with buffer times. Stage vehicles away from bottlenecks near Bharat Mandapam and Connaught Place.
- Housekeeping: Align deep-clean schedules with "Operation Clean." Keep façades, signage, and entrances sharp to match city lighting.
- Sustainability: Reinforce no-dust practices, wet/dry waste segregation, and vendor compliance to support air-quality efforts.
- Security and protocol: Tighten ID checks, load-in windows, and vendor lists. Prepare VIP handling flows and backup power.
- Concierge desk: Provide quick maps, venue timings, and a one-pager for the Central Park public exhibitions (Feb 16-20).
- Food & beverage: Offer early breakfasts, late-night service, and compact delegate menus for tight schedules.
- Air quality indoors: Check purifiers and HVAC filters. Keep entrance mats and misting near porte-cochères if needed.
- Landscaping and décor: Add seasonal plants and fresh florals to align with the city's visual refresh.
Event-day logistics near Bharat Mandapam and Connaught Place
Expect heavier checks and possible diversions around peak hours. Build extra time for airport transfers, VIP protocols, and last-mile access. If you're hosting side events, share a simple route map and a single helpline number with guests and vendors.
Monitor live advisories and adjust shuttle dispatch and load-in accordingly.
Opportunities for hospitality and MICE teams
- Bundle delegate-friendly services: airport transfers, flexible check-in/out, fast laundry, and quiet workspaces.
- Create small-format meeting pods and media corners for quick briefings between sessions.
- Offer curated evening activities near India Gate and CP to keep travel time short.
Useful links
Upskill your team for AI-focused delegates
With AI leaders in town, guests will expect tech-smart service. If you're training staff on AI basics for guest support, event ops, or concierge use-cases, this resource can help.
Explore AI courses by job role
Bottom line: the city is getting cleaner, brighter, and easier to navigate for delegates. Lock your operations now, keep comms simple, and leave room for last-minute movement plans.
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