The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)and Kickstart Entertainment in association with Budweiser present the 2^nd edition of the India Nightlife Convention and Awards (INCA)on30th September and 1st October 2017.

This propertyshowcases the best that Indian bars and nightlife have to offer, it recognizes and celebrates thought leadership, as well as provides a platform for industry stalwarts to mingle and imbibe a sense of fraternity. The two-day national business convention encompasses of workshops and panels with some of the industry’s most influential entrepreneurs and specialists.

The only constant is change, and the Indian nightlife and bar culture is proof of this saying. In a short span of time, the way people unwindand celebrate has transformed radically.With cocktails becoming more inventive, social changes and going out becoming a day to day occurrence rather than just a weekend affair the entire scene of partying and drinking has evolved, and INCAacknowledges and supports this very ethos.

The second edition of INCA is being presented by Budweiser, in association with Johnnie Walker. Through this platform, Budweiser is fulfilling its commitment towards bringing the best in nightlife experiences and shaping the culture in India. Theconventionwillnot only showcase the ever evolvingnightlife culture byhighlightingthe industry’s accomplishmentsbut also promote a sense of brotherhood.

Kartikeya Sharma, Marketing Director, Anheuser-Busch InBev India & South East Asia says, "Nightlife in Indian cities has seen a significant change over the last few years owing to the emergence of bars & venues curating new & diverse offerings for their discerning consumers. Budweiser, a brand synonymous with music has been playing a leading role by being a positive catalyst to influence this change, engaging consumers through world class experiences. Our association with INCA in 2017 is a result of this natural convergence of shared objectives as we look to collectively foster & shape the growing contribution of the nightlife industry.”

“Nightlife is an integral part of the cultural landscape of our country, and the NRAI is absolutely thrilled to support INCA in their endeavor to recognize and celebrate thought leadership in this space,” says Riyaaz Amlani, President, NRAI. “Nightlife not only promotes tourism but it also plays a pivotal role in creating the cultural perception of a city or a country across the globe. It provides the push which is essential to any burgeoning city's economy and livability index. Last but not least, going out is demographic agnostic and thereby highly inclusive, making it a bigger propeller for change."

Aman Anand, Director of Kickstart Entertainment says, “We were heartened and surprised by the unexpected success of the first edition, and that has only made us more focused on ensuring this property grows exponentially with each passing year. We are bringing this event together and helping it grow by using our own network to add some global perspective to the event, such as hand picking nightlife trailblazers and international speakers to come and hold sessions, thereby taking it up a notch.”

Keeping in mind their vision to elevate Indian cities into thriving cultural hubs, which evolve into centers of attraction to not just a national but also the international audience; NRAI aims to further add value by contributing its expertise to help develop and curate such content that ensures sustained interest and the development of the industry as a whole.

To bring in a global perspective from cities which have become destinations due to their vibrant nightlife and bar culture, INCAwill play host to some of the most prolific personalities from around the world who have defined the industry, broken conventions and changed the way people party: Mirik Milan, Night Mayor of Amsterdam, is a juggernaut in the events space having conceptualized everything from fashion shows to art festivals. His experiences travelling the world ensure he is always a step ahead of trends. Lutz Leichsenring, Club Commission Berlin, is a trailblazer who has left his imprint in many fields. He has worked extensively establishing the rights of the party community in Berlin, as well as fights for preserving creative spaces in a city that is all about expression. Jorge Sanza, Night Mayor Madrid, is the brains behind Madrid Music Days, a platform that shines a light on electronic acts in the city. Through his work, electronic music has gained a serious foothold in Madrid. Amy Lamé, Night Czar of London, is an inspiring woman, and the first person ever to hold this post in London. With her knowledge and expertise of the arts, Amy wears many caps- DJ, LGBT Rights campaigner and creative founder of an arts company, amongst others. Frédéric Hocquard , Deputy Mayor- Paris Nighttime Policies, Paris has been instrumental in making The Paris Nightlife Council the heart of city’s nightlife policy development process. They will be sharing their insights, divulging secrets and helping attendees identify trends in the industry worldwide.

The convention culminates with an awards ceremony where finalists are recognized at both a regional and national level. These awards are decided on by a carefully selected jury from the main metro cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.Bars can enroll themselves, and the public gets to vote for their favourite nightspots. An appointed national jury will then nominate the best under each category. The world’s most credible and leading professional auditors Ernst &Young will be reviewing and tabulating the entire process revealing top finalists.

Prathmesh Mishra – Chief Commercial Officer, Diageo says, “We have been a part of The “Indian night life awards” that celebrates and recognises one of the most spirited and fastest growing industries in India from its inception. The platform has helped elevate conversations around celebration and nightlife, and it is a pleasure to be associated with them once again. Congratulations to all the winners and we hope these awards inspire people to continue improving the consumer experience and achieving greater heights."

Event Details

Date: 30th of September & 1st of October

Venue: The Ballroom in Hotel Four Seasons in Worli, Mumbai.