But beyond the excitement, there were important schedule changes and logistical realities that every attendee must understand.

Through insights shared by Dheeraj Sudan and Meenu Hinduja, Co-founders of MHDS Techno Soft, here’s what you need to know before attending February 18th or 19th.

First — February 18th saw an early closure of the Main Convention Area at 4:30 PM due to high-level state engagements. However, the AI Expo remained open until 8:00 PM, offering continued networking opportunities.

On February 19th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the summit. Morning access will be restricted, with general delegate entry to the Expo and Media Centre starting from 11:00 AM.

Entry logistics:

• Gate 4 for car and cab access
• Gate 10 for metro attendees
• Gate 4 remains the primary exit

Expect traffic advisories between 4 PM and 11 PM around the venue.

Day One lessons included crowd congestion, mobile network issues, QR code confusion, and exhibitor security concerns. Attendees are strongly advised to secure valuables and booths before evacuation hours.

In response to logistical challenges, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw issued an apology and confirmed the establishment of a real-time operational “war room” to streamline management for the remaining days.

So the question remains — is it worth attending?

If you’re interested in AI policy direction, startup ecosystem exposure, or large-scale government-backed AI initiatives — Day Two may offer more structured execution and improved management.

Stay tuned as we continue to track the impact of this landmark summit.