Hyderabad, Feb 17: The Project Management Conclave 2026 (PMC 2026) brought together over 400 project management professionals at T-Hub, Hyderabad, in what emerged as a landmark moment for India’s rapidly expanding leadership community.
Global pioneers Lee Lambert, Co-Founder of the PMP certification, and Antonio Nieto Rodriguez, World Champion in Project Management and Harvard Business Review author, were formally felicitated in the presence of CXO leaders and senior industry professionals — symbolising a rare convergence of global thought leadership and India’s evolving project ecosystem.
Lee Lambert, on his second visit to India, delivered a compelling keynote titled “Why PMP Alone Is Not Enough Anymore.” Emphasising that “PMP is the beginning, not the destination,” he urged professionals to go beyond certification and develop leadership, adaptability, and strategic thinking in an AI-driven era. His visit also celebrated the mentorship journey of Visakh R J, recognised as a Book of Records holder for mentoring the highest number of PMP achievers.
Antonio Nieto Rodriguez, in his keynote “Powered by Projects – The Project Driven Organization,” challenged organisations to prioritise transformation over routine operations. “Project management is no longer about managing schedules; it is about designing the future,” he asserted, calling for bold, high-impact initiatives and exponential thinking.
A key highlight was the inauguration of the co-authored book “The Thinking Project Manager – Where Common Sense Meets Mindset” by Lee Lambert and Visakh R J — blending global best practices with mindset-driven leadership philosophy.
Visakh R J further unveiled AIPM – AI for Project Managers, signalling a strategic shift toward integrating Generative AI into modern project practice, with plans to collaborate internationally to expand its reach in India.
The conclave also featured a high-impact panel on the evolving role of Global Capability Centers as innovation hubs rather than cost centers, alongside participation from leaders across aerospace, automotive, pharmaceuticals, banking, nuclear energy, government, and technology sectors.
Following its successful inaugural edition in Bangalore, PMC 2026 at Hyderabad reinforced India’s growing influence in global project leadership — positioning the conclave not merely as an event, but as a movement shaping the future of purpose-driven, AI-enabled project professionals.
Project Management Conclave (PMC) has a unique and inspiring origin story. When Lee Lambert, founder of the PMP certification, was surprised by the exceptional number of professionals clearing PMP through Visakh’s mentorship, it sparked a larger vision within the community. Around the same time, Visakh’s students were eager to organise an alumni meet that would celebrate their shared journey. That vision turned into reality in Bangalore, where more than 450 project managers gathered for the very first edition of the Project Management Conclave. By the time the next edition unfolded in Hyderabad, PMC had evolved far beyond a professional gathering. It began transforming into a movement where students not only support each other with career opportunities, collaborations, and growth, but also embrace a deeper purpose of giving back to the community through meaningful social initiatives, reflecting the expanding impact of project management beyond corporate boundaries.
The Project Management Professional examination is widely regarded as one of the toughest credentials for corporate professionals, designed to test whether individuals are truly ready to step into the next level of leadership. Eligibility itself demands proven project management experience and demonstrated leadership capability, making PMP more than just a certification. It is a benchmark of maturity in the profession. Across the market, only about sixty percent of candidates successfully clear the exam, yet students trained under Visakh consistently demonstrate a significantly higher success rate, reflecting a strong mindset driven approach. Clearing PMP opens doors to accelerated career growth, higher salary potential, internal promotions, and opportunities across industries ranging from technology and consulting to manufacturing and infrastructure, positioning certified professionals as trusted leaders capable of driving real transformation.