Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) and Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre, managed by Accor, have appointed Vikas Sood as their new General Manager. With more than 29 years of hospitality experience, Sood brings a career spanning luxury hospitality, hotel operations and the MICE sector, with particular expertise in convention and exhibition business.
Sood has held leadership positions with hospitality companies including The Leela, Accor, Marriott International, Hyatt and Taj Hotels. His experience includes managing large-scale hospitality operations and convention-led businesses, with exposure to exhibitions, corporate events, international programmes and large-format conferences.
The appointment aligns with Accor’s strategy to strengthen leadership capabilities, contributing to leadership appointments in hospitality.
Leading Integrated Hotel and Convention Operations
In his new role, Sood will oversee the operations of both Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and JECC, with responsibility for the integrated hotel and convention centre business.
The role brings together two operational environments with closely connected requirements. While the hotel serves guests and event participants, the convention and exhibition centre supports large gatherings that require detailed planning around venue operations, guest movement, event schedules and hospitality services.
Sood’s experience across hotel and convention operations provides a background relevant to managing these interconnected requirements. His remit will include supporting the operational performance of the complex across exhibitions, conventions, MICE programmes, weddings and other large-format events.
Experience Across Accor and Convention-Led Properties
Sood has developed extensive experience with Accor, including exposure to convention hotels and large-scale hospitality operations. His professional journey has included work across environments where hotel operations and major events operate alongside one another.
His experience at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre provided exposure to a convention-focused hospitality environment, while his association with Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre and The Leela Gandhinagar added further experience in large-scale event and convention operations.
These assignments have given him experience in managing the operational requirements associated with high-volume events, where coordination between hospitality teams, venue operations and event stakeholders is central to delivery.
Experience in Major Conventions and Exhibitions
A significant part of Sood’s professional background has been connected to major conventions, exhibitions and large-scale programmes. His experience includes events and programmes such as the G20, Semicon, PEDICON and DefExpo, along with other conferences and exhibitions.
Such assignments have involved operational requirements extending beyond conventional hotel management. Venue readiness, guest movement, event schedules, hospitality delivery and coordination across different operational teams form an important part of convention and exhibition management.
His background also includes experience with large-scale medical events and international programmes, further adding to his exposure to specialised MICE requirements.
Leadership Across Major Hospitality Brands
Over more than two decades in the hospitality industry, Sood has worked with several established hotel companies, including The Leela, Accor, Marriott International, Hyatt and Taj Hotels.
His career has covered both luxury hospitality and large-scale operational environments. This combination has enabled him to develop experience across guest services, hotel operations, events and convention-led business.
His professional experience has also included responsibilities connected with complex event environments, where hotel and convention operations need to function together while meeting the requirements of organisers, delegates, exhibitors and guests.
Recognition and Industry Experience
Sood’s contribution to the hospitality industry has also received recognition. He was named GM of the Year at the Culinary Innovation Awards 2024.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Sood has an interest in travel, exploring different cultures and discovering diverse culinary experiences. These interests complement a career that has involved working across different hospitality environments and serving guests and event audiences with varied requirements.
Focus on Jaipur’s MICE and Events Business
At JECC and Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre, Sood will bring his experience in hotel operations and convention business to an integrated property environment.
The appointment comes at a time when convention centres and hotels increasingly operate as interconnected components of the wider MICE ecosystem. Managing accommodation, venue operations and hospitality services under a coordinated business model requires experience across both hotel and event operations.
With his background across luxury hospitality, Accor properties and large-scale convention and exhibition businesses, Sood will oversee the operational and commercial requirements of the Jaipur complex across conventions, exhibitions, MICE programmes, weddings and other events.
