A Vision for Global Excellence The event commenced with a warm welcome by Mr. Anant S. Iyer, Director General, CIABC, who emphasized the conference's theme, "Shaping the Future," urging stakeholders to collaboratively redefine India's alco-bev narrative on the global stage.

Mr. Deepak Roy, Chairman, CIABC, delivered the inaugural keynote, highlighting India's rich heritage in spirits like Mahua and Feni. Drawing parallels with global successes like Tequila, he advocated for cohesive policies and responsible communication to elevate Indian spirits internationally.

Moderator: Mr. Anant S. Iyer, Director General, CIABC

Panelists:

Mr. Bikram Basu, Managing Director, ABD Maestro Private Limited

Mr. Ashutosh Rajput, Chief Operating Officer, Alcobrew Distilleries India Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Pallav Soin, Chief Revenue Officer, Modi Illva India Pvt. Ltd.

Discussions centered on the evolving demographics of Indian consumers, highlighting the influence of young adults, women, and Tier 2 city residents. The panel emphasized the importance of digital outreach and experiential marketing in capturing these emerging markets.

Moderator:

Panelists:

Mr. Amulya Pandit, Senior Consultant, Euromonitor International

Mr. Vikram Achanta, CEO & Co-founder, Tulleeho

Mr. Ajay Kakkar, Assistant Vice President, Radico Khaitan Ltd.

Mr. Neeraj Sharma, Senior Vice President - Sales, Sula Vineyards Ltd.

The session explored the transformation of bars and lounges into storytelling platforms, with a focus on personalization, technology integration, and immersive brand experiences, especially in Tier 2 cities.

Moderator: Mr. Varun Lohia, Head - Supply Chain & Procurement, Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD)

Panelists:

Mr. Praveen Malviya, CEO - IMFL, Piccadily Agro Industries Ltd.

Mr. Anand Channapur, CEO, Alisha Torrent

Dr. Juhi Gupta, Director - Sustainability, South Asia Markets, Tetra Pak

Mr. Aditya Patwardhan, Packaging Expert

The discussion highlighted innovations in eco-friendly packaging, emphasizing the industry's shift towards sustainable practices in response to consumer expectations.

Speaker: Mr. Dhavall Gandhi, Master Blender

Mr. Gandhi provided insights into the science and art of spirit maturation, discussing the challenges and opportunities presented by India's unique climate and its impact on aging processes.

The post-lunch session of AlcoBev India 2025 opened with a brief but sharp address by Mr. Deepak Roy, Chairman of CIABC, who set the tone for a forward-looking and collaborative discussion between industry and policymakers.

Shri Abhishek Dev, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, spotlighted the untapped export potential of Indian-origin spirits and the broader alco-bev sector. He emphasized its role beyond revenue—driving agri-linkages, supporting MSMEs, and enhancing global trade. He called for heritage-driven branding, regional storytelling, and certified quality to boost export competitiveness. He also stressed the need for robust traceability frameworks to meet international standards and build global consumer trust.

Mr. Abhishek Modi unpacked the road ahead for the industry—spotlighting the need to move beyond volume into value and premiumisation, while addressing regulatory hurdles head-on.

Moderator: Mr. Abhishek Modi, Managing Director, Modi Illva India Pvt. Ltd.

Panelists:

Ms. Harshita Attaluri (IPS), CMD, Kerala State Beverages Corporation

Mr. Harish Chand Semwal (IAS), Excise Commissioner, Uttarakhand

Mr. Alok Gupta, Managing Director, Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD)

Mr. Raju Vaziraney, Business Development Head & Adviser, AMRUT Distilleries

Mr. Rajesh Parida, Chief Corporate Affairs - PR & CSR Officer, ABD

Mr. Neeraj Sharma, Senior Vice President - Sales, Sula Vineyards Ltd.

The panel addressed challenges such as excise unpredictability and non-tariff barriers, advocating for data-driven lobbying and cohesive engagement with policymakers.

Moderator: Mr. Paramjit Singh Gill, CEO - Consumer Division, Globus Spirits Ltd.

Panelists:

Mr. Chevvuru Harikiran (IAS), Excise Commissioner, Telangana

Mr. Abhijeet Agrawal (IAS), Excise Commissioner, Madhya Pradesh

Mr. Rajnikant Sabnavis, Industry Expert

Mr. Bikram Basu, Managing Director, ABD Maestro Private Limited

Mr. Rajnish Singh, Policy Advisor

Discussions focused on the need for harmonized regulations and proposed phased unification as a pathway to a model excise policy.

Moderator:

Mr. Siddharth Banerji, Industry Expert

Panelists:

Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Representative, APEDA

Mr. Rajeev Samant, Managing Director & CEO, Sula Vineyards Ltd.

Mr. Sanjeev Banga, Managing Director, Radico Khaitan Ltd.

The session explored strategies for Indian brands to scale internationally, emphasizing cultural adaptation, compliance rigor, and authenticity.

As the day’s conversations moved from policy to potential, AlcoBev India 2025 evolved into a larger celebration of the industry’s spirit. Beyond panel discussions, the exhibition floor remained a hub of activity—bringing together distillers, packaging innovators, design experts, closure solution providers, and logistics players under one roof. From sustainable packaging solutions to advancements in traceability, every corner of the showcase reflected the scale and ambition of the Indian alco-bev ecosystem.

The evening took on a stylish turn with a fashion showcase curated by Radico Khaitan. The ramp became a canvas where brands were reimagined through design, music, and storytelling. Designer Jyoti Sachdev Iyer brought the show to a close with a stunning finale that combined couture with brand narrative—blending elegance, creativity, and the energy of the industry.

As night fell, the tempo picked up with a lively DJ Night hosted by Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD). The dance floor became a space for unwinding, celebrating, and connecting beyond the business agenda—bringing the industry together in a more relaxed, high-energy setting.

AlcoBev India 2025 closed on a high note—combining insights, innovation, and celebration to mark a milestone moment for the industry.