Changing the Orbit: IIMBue 2026 Leadership Conclave Set for Augus - Over 1,500 Leaders expected

Designed to confront macroeconomic shifts and accelerating market realities, this year’s discussions will anchor on three vital strategic tracks.

IIM Bangalore Alumni Association to host Leadership Conclave *IIMBue 2026 on August 1-2 in Bengaluru

Over 1,500 leaders, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, academicians and alumni to gather in Bengaluru for one of India's largest alumni-led leadership conclaves

As businesses confront unprecedented disruption driven by artificial intelligence, shifting geopolitics and rapidly evolving markets, IIMBue 2026 is set to bring together some of the country's most influential minds to explore one compelling question: How do leaders change their orbit and that of the companies they run, instead of simply staying on course?

Organised by the IIM Bangalore Alumni Association (IIMBAA), the two-day leadership conclave will be held on August 1–2, 2026, at The Leela Bhartiya City, Bengaluru. Built around the theme "Changing the Orbit," the event will bring together more than 1,500 delegates and an influential mix of innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, academicians and alumni from across the world to explore new pathways for growth, leadership and transformation.

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Unlike conventional leadership conferences that focus on managing change, "Changing the Orbit" challenges leaders to rethink their trajectory altogether—to break free from incremental progress, embrace bold thinking and move to a higher orbit of innovation, impact and sustainable growth.

Recognised as one of India's largest alumni-led leadership platforms, IIMBue has become a vibrant forum where leaders from business, government, healthcare, technology, finance, media, sports and the creative industries come together to exchange ideas that influence the future of enterprise and society.

The 2026 edition will feature an impressive line-up of speakers, including Mr. Noel Naval Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, Mr. Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts; Mr. G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman & Managing Director, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories; Mr. Anand Ramamoorthy, Founding Managing Director, Micron India; renowned diplomat Ambassador Deepak Vohra; acclaimed actors Mr. Boman Irani & Ms. Bhumi Pednekar, alongside several other distinguished leaders from industry, public policy and academia.

This year's programme will revolve around three defining themes:
• New Geometry of Power – Understanding the shifting global economic and geopolitical landscape.
• Redesigning Trajectory – How organisations can reinvent themselves to remain resilient and competitive.
• Tech for Future Orbits – Exploring how artificial intelligence, deep technology and digital innovation are reshaping industries and leadership.

The conclave will feature keynote addresses, fireside conversations, interactive panel discussions and networking sessions covering some of today's most pressing issues, including:
• From Influence to Impact: Shaping Society for Tomorrow
• From Molecules to Markets: Scaling Healthcare Across Borders
• The Gravity Shift: Leadership in a Multipolar World
• Frontier Technologies Reshaping India's Future
• Rewiring the System in the Era of AI
• Beyond the Screen: Stories, Stardom & the Art of Reinvention
• The New Architecture of Growth
• Beyond the Scoreboard: Sport's Next Growth Orbit

Speaking about the event, Harish Mittal, President, IIM Bangalore Alumni Association, said: "The pace of change today demands leaders who are willing to rethink assumptions, challenge established models and create entirely new growth trajectories. IIMBue 2026 is designed to inspire exactly those conversations. With leaders from boardrooms, venture capital, private equity, entrepreneurship, academia and public policy coming together, the conclave offers a unique opportunity to understand emerging trends, identify new opportunities and shape the future of leadership."

Adding to the experience, Venture Showcase will connect promising startups with investors, mentors and strategic partners, while the IIMB Alumni Authors' Nook will showcase thought-provoking books written by alumni, creating opportunities for conversations beyond the conference stage.

Over the years, IIMBue has evolved into a sought-after platform for cross-sector dialogue, bringing together distinguished personalities from business, public policy, healthcare, sports, science and the arts. The 2026 edition promises to continue that tradition by creating conversations that are not just about responding to change—but about redefining the future.

As the world searches for new models of leadership, innovation and growth, IIMBue 2026 aims to provide the ideas, insights and connections that can help leaders move beyond today's challenges—and into their next orbit.

Forget Acquisition: Retention is the Real Engine of Scale

The Retention Economy: Why Service Businesses Win on Relationships

In India’s corporate travel market, rapid growth is stealing the headlines—but customer retention is the real engine driving the industry forward.

The Indian business travel market reached USD 41.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to skyrocket to USD 80.5 billion by 2033. This massive, decade-long doubling is drawing fresh entrants and intensifying market competition. Yet, the businesses compounding value the fastest are not necessarily those chasing the most new clients.

They are the ones losing the fewest.

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The Cost of Commodity: Execution Over Inventory

In a sector where the core product—a flight, a hotel room, or a ground transfer—is functionally identical across providers, customer service is the ultimate differentiator. Poor customer experience accounts for 50% of B2B vendor switches.

What sets a premier travel management company apart is not inventory access. It comes down to:

• Flawless Execution: Handling volatile, real-time travel disruptions smoothly.
• Radical Accountability: Taking ownership of client issues when things go sideways.
• Institutional Memory: Deep familiarity built only through long-term client relationships.

While the wider B2B industry average retention rate sits at a modest 72.5% (and falls even lower in logistics), elite operators in India have cracked the code. By prioritizing relationships, select players report client retention rates well above 95%, with repeat business effectively hitting 100%.

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The New Terrain: Tier 2, Tier 3, and Complex Logistics

Retaining clients becomes even more critical as corporate travel grows structurally complex. The rise of Tier 2 and Tier 3 business hubs—like Pune, Ahmedabad, and Coimbatore—is completely reshaping corporate footprints due to lower operational costs and enhanced regional connectivity.

Companies expanding into these emerging markets cannot afford to onboard unproven travel vendors from scratch. They require partners who already know the local terrain. The value of that embedded knowledge compounds quietly over time, offering a protective moat that new market entrants simply cannot replicate.

       [ THE CORPORATE TRAVEL LANDSCAPE BY THE NUMBERS ]
┌──────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ $80.5 Billion                        │ 95%+                                 │
│ Projected Indian market size by 2033 │ Retention rate of elite operators    │
├──────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 50%                                  │ 74%                                  │
│ B2B switches driven by poor service  │ Companies leveraging travel data     │
└──────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────┘

Furthermore, modern corporate travel extends far beyond basic employee transit. High-stakes use cases now dominate corporate requirements, including:

• Large-scale annual conferences
• Strategic destination offsites
• Complex, large-format public events
• Specialized artist and celebrity logistics

Fragmented systems—such as managing multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) and ad-hoc local agents—may survive at a small scale, but they buckle under high-pressure timelines. Industry leaders like CoTrav have scaled to manage travel across 500+ cities for enterprises and event agencies by treating these complex demands not as a distraction, but as a core execution capability.

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The Paradigm Shift: From Vendor to Operational Partner

Data sophistication is undeniably on the rise, with 74% of corporate businesses now leveraging advanced data analytics to optimize their travel spend. However, data without a flawless execution layer is just a report.

The companies defining the next decade of corporate travel are those bridging the digital and physical worlds. They combine smart backend software with a dedicated person on the ground when real-world challenges arise.

In a hyper-growth market, customer acquisition will always make for a flashy story. But long-term retention remains the true engine of compounding success.

India Makes 757 Million UPI Payments a Day. How Many Build Wealth?

In June 2026, India's UPI network handled 22 billion transactions valued at over ₹28 lakh crore, averaging 757 million daily payments. While funds transfer instantly with a simple notification, none of this velocity builds long-term wealth.

Indians are already buying gold through UPI, but not automatically

Evidence suggests Indians want something more from their digital payments. Data from the World Gold Council shows that digital gold purchases made via UPI nearly tripled through 2025, with monthly transaction values climbing from Rs 8 billion in January to Rs 21 billion by December. Over the course of the year, Indians purchased an estimated 13.5 tonnes of gold through UPI-linked platforms.

This growth did not happen because of a government scheme or a bank campaign. It happened because a section of Indian consumers, largely younger and smartphone-first, started treating UPI as a tool for building assets, not just clearing bills. They were opening apps, choosing an amount, and buying digital gold as a separate, conscious step alongside their regular payments.

The case for removing that extra step

Platforms like GoSats are built around a different model. Instead of asking users to make a separate decision to save, the platform credits Bitcoin or 24-karat digital gold directly to a user's wallet with every eligible card transaction or bill payment. The accumulation happens in the background, as a function of spending that was already going to happen.

The practical difference is measurable. Take a user spending Rs 15,000 a month on groceries, subscriptions, and utility bills. At up to 3% cashback in Bitcoin or digital gold on eligible transactions, that adds up to a small but real asset position over twelve months, built entirely from spending that required no separate savings decision.

For users who prefer gold specifically, the platform offers a Gold SIP feature that channels rewards from everyday spending into a recurring digital gold position. Gold earned can be held, redeemed as physical gold, or converted into gold-backed instruments through the platform's Augmont partnership. Unlike most loyalty programmes where points come with an expiry date, rewards on the platform carry lifetime validity.

Why the timing matters

The context around digital gold in India has shifted in the past two years. The government stopped issuing new Sovereign Gold Bond tranches in 2024, removing what had been one of the most trusted vehicles for retail gold investment. That demand has not disappeared. Much of it has moved to digital gold platforms. UPI-linked gold purchases tripling in 2025 reflects that shift directly.

Gold prices rose 183% between January 2021 and January 2026, a compound annual growth rate of around 23%. Investors who started building a position early, even in small amounts, would have seen that appreciation reflected in their holdings. For those starting now, the case for accumulating steadily rather than waiting for the right moment remains the same.

India's UPI infrastructure now accounts for nearly half of the world's real-time payment transactions. Every one of those transactions moves money out of someone's account. A small but growing number of platforms are now built around the idea that at least some of that money should find its way back, in a form that holds value beyond the moment the payment clears.

Rewriting Indian Volleyball History: Volleyball Champions League (VCL) Launched

VCL announces 10 city franchises; inaugural season, trials, and auction scheduled for October 2026

India's newest professional sports league is here. Organized by Adi Yogi Sports Pvt. Ltd., the Volleyball Champions League (VCL) made its grand debut today. The launch event united sports dignitaries, corporate titans, franchise owners, and elite athletes to celebrate a fresh chapter for professional Indian volleyball.

The Volleyball Champions League (VCL) is founded by Mr. Dheeraj Manjeri (Patel) and Mr. Kulvant Baliyan, whose vision is to create a world-class professional volleyball ecosystem that empowers Indian athletes, strengthens grassroots development, and provides a sustainable commercial platform for the sport. The league will be spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Vishwas Bansal.

Addressing the gathering, the league leadership highlighted their commitment to transforming Indian volleyball through innovation, professionalism, transparency, and international standards, emphasising that VCL is a long-term movement dedicated to creating opportunities for players, coaches, officials, franchises, and fans.

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A major announcement during the launch was the participation of 10 city-based franchises from across India in the inaugural season. The official roadmap includes Players' Selection Trials in August 2026, the Players' Auction in September 2026, and the 18-day Volleyball Champions League in October 2026, providing hundreds of talented players with an opportunity to compete at the highest professional level.

A key highlight of the evening was the Special Felicitation Ceremony organised by Adi Yogi Sports Pvt. Ltd., recognising India's recent international achievements in volleyball. The company announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh to the Indian Men's Volleyball Team for winning the Bronze Medal at the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad and ₹10 lakh to the Indian Women's Volleyball Team for securing the Bronze Medal at the CAVA Women's Championship 2026 in Nepal.The launch was welcomed by several stalwarts of Indian volleyball.

*Shri Suresh Mishra, Arjun Awardee (1980)*, said, "The Volleyball Champions League marks a defining moment for Indian volleyball. Professional leagues create opportunities for players, improve competitiveness, and inspire young athletes to dream bigger. I congratulate the organisers on this landmark initiative."

*Shri G.E. Shridharan, Arjun Awardee (1982) and Dronacharya Awardee*, said, "Indian volleyball has immense talent, and the Volleyball Champions League can provide the professional ecosystem the sport has long needed. This initiative will strengthen player development, enhance exposure, and elevate Indian volleyball to new heights."

*Ms. Radhika P., Coach, Indian Women's Volleyball Team*, said, "The Volleyball Champions League is a significant step towards building a stronger future for Indian volleyball. A professional league of this scale will provide players with invaluable competitive exposure, encourage young talent to pursue the sport seriously, and create a pathway for sustained excellence. I congratulate the organisers for taking this visionary initiative."

Reiterating their long-term vision, the organisers stated that the Volleyball Champions League aims to become one of Asia's premier professional volleyball competitions by combining sporting excellence with commercial innovation, fan engagement, franchise development, youth promotion, and international collaborations.

With enthusiastic support from stakeholders across the sporting fraternity, the Volleyball Champions League is poised to redefine the future of volleyball in India. As preparations begin for the inaugural season in October 2026, VCL aims to inspire the next generation of players and make a lasting contribution to India's sporting ecosystem.

The Volleyball Champions League (VCL) is organised by Adi Yogi Sports Pvt. Ltd.

Digital Publishing & Learning: Trends Shaping the Future of Content at Scale

As digital transformation accelerates across industries, publishing and learning ecosystems are undergoing a fundamental shift. The growing demand for scalable, accessible, and engaging content is driving organisations to rethink how they create, manage, and deliver information. With global enterprises catering to diverse audiences, the need for speed, personalisation, and multi-format delivery has never been greater. At the same time, advancements in technology are enabling smarter workflows, improved content discoverability, and enhanced learning experiences. In this evolving landscape, innovation is not just enhancing efficiency, it is transforming how knowledge is created and shared at scale.

Here are some of the key trends shaping digital publishing and learning today:

1. AI-Powered Content Creation and Curation

Artificial intelligence is enabling faster content production through automated writing, summarisation, and intelligent curation. These tools help organisations manage high content volumes while maintaining quality, consistency, and relevance across formats and audiences.

2. Personalised and Adaptive Learning Experiences

Data-driven technologies are transforming learning by tailoring content to individual user needs, preferences, and progress. Adaptive learning platforms ensure more engaging and effective knowledge delivery, improving outcomes across enterprise and academic environments.

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3. Cloud-Based Content Management and Collaboration

Cloud platforms are streamlining content workflows by enabling real-time collaboration, centralised asset management, and seamless version control. This allows global teams to work efficiently while maintaining consistency across large-scale publishing operations.

4. Multi-Format and Interactive Content Delivery

From eBooks and videos to interactive modules and immersive experiences, content is increasingly being delivered in diverse formats. Technology enables seamless conversion and distribution, ensuring content remains engaging and accessible across devices and platforms.

As digital publishing and learning continue to evolve, these trends highlight a shift towards more intelligent, scalable, and user-centric ecosystems. By leveraging advanced technologies and innovative approaches, organisations can future-proof their content strategies and deliver impactful experiences in an increasingly digital world.

- By Sameer Kanodia, Vice Chairman and CEO, Lumina Datamatics & TNQTech

Saudi Arabia Introduces “Package Visa”, Integrating Travel Booking Integrating Travel Booking with Easier Visa Application

A fully digital initiative connecting visa application directly to travel bookings,

making it easier to visit Saudi than ever before

 Designed to make traveling to Saudi seamless and more accessible

 Part of Saudi’s wider effort to deliver experience-led tourism

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 6 July 2026: Saudi has announced the launch of Package Visa, a new digital initiative designed to simplify travel to Saudi by integrating tourist visa application directly into curated travel bookings. The launch is currently underway through qualified travel and tourism service providers across selected international markets ahead of a broader rollout.

The initiative builds on Saudi’s wider efforts to simplify visiting the country. Since launching the tourist e-Visa, Saudi has introduced several new ways to visit, including visa on arrival and the Stopover Transit Visa. Together, these initiatives have supported the country’s rapid tourism growth, with Saudi welcoming more than 29 million inbound visitors in 2025.

Commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism, said: “As Saudi’s tourism sector continues to grow at pace, Package Visa reflects our commitment to making travel to Saudi more seamless for visitors. By integrating visa issuance with travel bookings, we are simplifying the visitor journey and creating a more connected travel experience. This initiative also strengthens collaboration across the tourism ecosystem and supports Saudi’s position as an increasingly accessible global destination.”
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For visitors, Package Visa means fewer steps between planning a trip and experiencing Saudi. Instead of arranging flights, accommodation, and a visa separately, eligible travelers can book everything through one integrated travel process, with the option to add events, activities and tourism experiences. The result is a simpler, more connected journey from booking to arrival. 

For qualified travel and tourism service providers, the initiative creates an opportunity to offer more attractive travel packages, streamline the traveler journey, and encourage longer stays and richer travel experiences.

To ensure a smooth and reliable travel experience, Package Visa is available only through qualified travel and tourism service providers that meet clear service standards and offer 24/7 customer support.

As Saudi continues to grow its tourism sector, Package Visa marks another step toward making travel easier, more connected, and more seamless for visitors discovering the country.

For more information: visitsaudi.com/PackageVisa

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), launched in June 2020, is responsible for marketing Saudi’s tourism destinations worldwide and developing the destination’s offerings through programs, packages, and business support. Its mandate includes developing the country’s unique assets and destinations, hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi’s destination brand locally and overseas. STA operates 16 representative offices around the world, serving 38 countries. To learn more please visit www.VisitSaudi.com.

(Promotional Feature)

India’s Hiring Outlook softens but Still Leads the World

After reaching a peak last quarter, India’s employment outlook cools, reflecting a more cautious approach by employers amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Yet, despite the moderation, India continues to lead the world in hiring optimism, underscoring the country’s resilience and growth potential.

India's hiring outlook leads the world  (AI Generated image)

A Shift Toward Selective Hiring  

The latest Employment Outlook Survey, based on interviews with over 3,100 employers across India, reveals that hiring intentions for Q3 2026 have declined by 29% compared to Q2. The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) now stands at 48% — down 20 points from the previous quarter, but still 6 points stronger than the same period last year.  

“India’s Q3 hiring outlook remains the strongest globally,” said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup that conducted the survey. “The moderation reflects a more measured approach to hiring rather than a loss of confidence. Employers are navigating challenges such as AI-led workforce optimization, softer entry-level demand, and global trade uncertainty, but remain positive about long-term growth.” 

Sectoral and Regional Trends  

Hiring sentiment eased across most sectors, with eight of nine industries reporting quarter-on-quarter declines.  

- Trade & Logistics saw the steepest drop (44%), followed by Public Sector, Health & Social Services (37%) and the Information sector (47%).  

- Hospitality was the only sector to post growth, rising 6 points since Q2.  

- Utilities & Natural Resources remains India’s most competitive sector with an outlook of 61, ranking first globally despite a slight quarterly dip.  

- Finance & Insurance recorded one of the strongest year-on-year gains, up 14 points since Q2 2025.  

Regionally, the East leads with a NEO of 52, though down 16 points from last quarter. The South showed the greatest annual improvement, rising 10 points since Q3 2025. Large organizations (1,000–4,999 employees) remain the most optimistic, with a NEO of 56, well above global averages.

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AI’s Role in Hiring Decisions  

While artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce strategies, employers continue to value human judgment most.  

- Resume review by people (75%) remains the top hiring resource, ahead of AI-driven tools.  

- Employers place the highest premium on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, highlighting the enduring importance of human adaptability.  

- At the same time, technical skills in AI model development, IT, and data literacy are commanding higher pay premiums, alongside sales and marketing expertise.

Looking Ahead  

The survey underscores a dual reality: India’s hiring momentum has cooled from record highs, but the country remains the global leader in employment optimism. Employers are balancing short-term caution with long-term investments in skills, capability building, and workforce resilience.  

As Gulati noted, “Organizations are looking beyond immediate hiring needs and investing in talent that supports productivity, innovation, and sustainable growth.”  

The full Q3 2026 Employment Outlook Survey results are available at [ManpowerGroup India](https://manpowergroup.co.in/meos-q3-2026.aspx). 

The next update, covering Q4 2026 expectations, will be released in September.