Heaptalk, Jakarta – Amidst government budget efficiency concerns, the Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association (Asperapi) affirmed that these policies will not significantly impact the performance of Indonesia’s exhibition industry. Instead, Asperapi is poised to support affected industries and facilitate local players to go global through various innovations and collaborations.
“The budget efficiency policy does not greatly affect the exhibition industry because our fundamentals are oriented towards the private sector, rather than government funding. In fact, this year our exhibition industry is set to grow and gain international attention,” stated Hosea Andreas Runkat, Chairman of Asperapi, during an Afternoon Tea event at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on March 11.
To realize this vision, Asperapi has outlined several programs set to unfold over the next two years.
Showcasing Indonesia’s Exhibition Potential to 19 Asian Countries
During the Afternoon Tea event, Hose explained that the International Business Entrepreneurship Festival (IBEF) scheduled for early November will coincide with the annual general meeting of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA), also taking place in Jakarta. It is expected that representatives from 19 Asian countries will attend and add vibrancy to the IBEF event.
“IBEF and INDES will take place in November 2025. IBEF will certainly coincide with AFECA’s annual general meeting. We hope INDES and IBEF will be attended by 19 AFECA member countries; Malaysia and Singapore have already confirmed their attendance and will be opening booths,” Hose added.
Leveraging this moment, Hose encouraged all Indonesian stakeholders to participate in showcasing innovations, thereby enhancing the international recognition of Indonesian exhibitions.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to showcase the MICE industry in Asia. I urge industry players in Indonesia to take advantage of this moment, as it is not easy to invite them to visit,” he emphasized.
Building Credible Data for a Better Indonesian Exhibition Industry
Asperapi also revealed plans to gather data on the potential of Indonesia’s exhibition industry. To obtain credible and globally recognized data, the organization will collaborate with the Global Association of Exhibition Industry UFI and Oxford University for further research.
“We are currently exploring partnerships with UFI and Oxford for data collection. The results might be released next year. I believe this data will be quite accurate, as it involves two institutions that are highly credible in the exhibition industry. We urge all stakeholders to support this program. This data will be reliable both locally and internationally.”
Engaging the Young Generation to Foster a Strong MICE Industry
To strengthen the Indonesian MICE industry, Asperapi regularly holds competitions for young students in the MICE sector. This initiative aims to enhance the youth’s experience in MICE and promote the development of human resources in Indonesia. Hose confirmed that the winners of these competitions will participate in the AFECA Youth My Challenges event, which will take place in Indonesia this year.
“The winners will represent Indonesia at the AFECA Youth My Challenges, this will be a point plus for their universities,” Hose stated.
Supporting Other Industries Affected by Budget Efficiency Issues
To assist industries impacted by government budget efficiency measures, Asperapi has partnered with the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI). This collaboration was marked with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PHRI and Asperapi at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on November 3.
Through these proactive steps, Asperapi is demonstrating its commitment to bolstering the Indonesian exhibition industry while increasing the global visibility of local enterprises.
