MAM
BNI Greater Surat’s BNI Business Conclave 2024 drew 10,000 entrepreneurs
Mumbai: More than 10,000 entrepreneurs from 79 plus cities participated in BNI Business Conclave 2024, the flagship event of BNI Greater Surat from 2 to 4 February. BNI Greater Surat is part of Business Network International (BNI), the world’s largest business referral organisation.
The BNI Business Conclave 2024 brought together the titans of industry, innovative entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders for a transformative experience. The conclave got underway with a mega textile business meet and a workshop on the travel industry at The Amore in Surat. The opening ceremony, exhibition, one-to-one conclaves, and product launches took place at the Sarsana International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Bollywood actor Boman Irani was the keynote speaker on 3 February. Eminent speakers and successful entrepreneurs shared their unique insights and techniques with the participants during the master classes organized as a part of the conclave.
The BNI Business Conclave reflects BNI Greater Surat’s commitment to building impactful platforms that can drive economic growth and usher in positive change. The Conclave also aimed at creating a dynamic space for entrepreneurs from the textile and travel sectors to collaborate, exchange ideas, and explore new business opportunities.
With more than 220 exhibitors showcasing their products and services, and over 10,000 participants from all over the country, the BNI Business Conclave 2024 was the biggest business event of its kind in Surat.
Steam House India Pvt Ltd was the title sponsor of BNI Business Conclave 2024, and it was organised in association with Avimee Herbal Pvt Ltd.
Brands
Ekart expands IKEA partnership with EV deliveries in Chennai
3PL to handle 600 plus products with 48 hour delivery via EV fleet.
MUMBAI: Flatpacks are going electric and your sofa might now arrive with a smaller carbon footprint. Ekart has expanded its partnership with IKEA to power last-mile deliveries in Chennai, doubling down on speed, scale and sustainability in one of India’s key urban markets. Under the collaboration, Ekart will manage end-to-end large-format deliveries for IKEA across the city using a 100 per cent dedicated electric vehicle fleet. The move makes Chennai the second major market after NCR-Delhi where Ekart handles IKEA’s last-mile logistics, signalling a broader rollout of EV-led supply chains.
The mandate is no small load. Ekart will oversee deliveries for over 600 products from IKEA’s catalogue, ranging from furniture to home décor—categories that demand specialised handling and precision logistics.
Backed by its technology-driven fulfilment network, Ekart is targeting deliveries within a 48-hour window, offering real-time tracking and end-to-end visibility from warehouse to doorstep. The focus is clear: faster turnarounds without compromising on control or customer experience.
The EV-first model also aligns with both companies’ sustainability goals, as urban logistics increasingly shifts towards zero-emission solutions. For IKEA, which continues to expand its omnichannel presence in India, reliable and eco-conscious last-mile delivery is becoming central to scale.
For Ekart, the partnership reinforces its positioning as an enterprise-grade logistics player in large-format commerce. The company already supports over 1,800 retail, D2C and enterprise brands, spanning last-mile delivery, part-truckload services and warehousing.
As India’s logistics ecosystem evolves, this collaboration highlights a growing trend: delivery is no longer just about distance, it’s about efficiency, experience and increasingly, emissions.
