An immersive evening of coastal luxury, South Indian culture, music and spectacle marks a memorable celebration for 800+ EEMA delegates.
EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort brought together over 800 delegates for an immersive evening of coastal luxury, South Indian culture, music and entertainment. InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, hosted the Gala Dinner for EEMAGINE 2026 on 8 August 2026 at Vaibhava Lawn and Beach Lawn, welcoming over 800 delegates from across India’s wedding, events, experiential and business events ecosystem. The EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner showcased the resort’s ability to deliver immersive, large-scale celebrations in a distinctive beachfront setting.
EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner: A Spectacular Celebration by the Sea
Organised by the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), EEMAGINE 2026 brought together some of the country’s leading wedding planners, event planners, Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) and experiential industry professionals. The Gala Dinner at the resort served as an immersive celebration of the community, bringing together industry leadership, creativity, culture and exceptional coastal hospitality against the backdrop of the Coromandel Coast.
A Cultural Welcome Rooted in South India
The experience began with a grand traditional welcome designed to immerse guests in the region’s rich cultural traditions. Guests were greeted with an energetic Chenda Melam, a traditional flower welcome, live flute music and a vibrant Bamboo Band from Kerala, setting the tone for an evening that brought together heritage and contemporary celebration.
From the welcome, guests journeyed through the resort’s bridge pathway, where they were treated to an elegant High Tea experience before witnessing a captivating fire performance. The journey culminated at the beachfront, where the setting of the Bay of Bengal became the backdrop for the evening’s most spectacular moments. The cultural elements of the EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner reflected the traditions of South India while creating an engaging experience for delegates.
A Spectacular Celebration by the Sea
The highlight of the evening was a mesmerising Samudra Aarti, presented against the ocean and accompanied by traditional music and dance. The spiritual and cultural spectacle seamlessly transitioned into a celebration of light and technology, with fireworks illuminating the night sky followed by a striking drone visual of EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner against the sea.
The celebrations then continued on the resort’s expansive lawn by the beach, offering guests an open-air setting overlooking the coastline. The specially curated entertainment programme featured a headline performance by acclaimed musician Lydian Nadhaswaram, alongside the Staccato Music Orchestra, renowned musicians and dancers, creating an energetic celebration against the backdrop of the sea. Entertainment at the EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner brought together music, dance and spectacle against the scenic coastal backdrop.
The evening culminated in a grand Gala Dinner, featuring a selection of specially curated dishes crafted for the occasion. The bespoke culinary experience brought together thoughtful menus, refined presentation and the resort’s signature hospitality, underscoring its ability to create personalised dining experiences for celebrations and large-scale gatherings.
A Destination for Extraordinary Celebrations
Set across 15 acres of landscaped beachfront on the East Coast Road, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort combines contemporary luxury with the cultural richness of Mahabalipuram. The resort offers over one lakh square feet of indoor and outdoor event spaces, including the sea-facing Vaibhava Ballroom and expansive Vaibhava & Beach Lawns, designed to host large-scale celebrations and events.
With its ocean-facing setting, expansive event venues and personalised approach to hospitality, the resort provided a distinctive canvas for EEMAGINE 2026, allowing the Gala Dinner to unfold as a multi-sensory celebration that brought together the best of India’s events community with the cultural and coastal character of Mahabalipuram.
The EEMAGINE 2026 Gala Dinner also highlighted InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort as a destination for large-scale events and celebrations. From the traditional Kerala-inspired welcome and the journey towards the shore to the Samudra Aarti, fireworks, EEMAGINE drone spectacle and Lydian Nadhaswaram’s performance, every element of the evening was thoughtfully curated to create a memorable celebration for the EEMA community.
