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THIS YEAR will be a pivotal one for Indonesia on the Asian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) industry stage. The Association of Indonesian Exhibition Companies (ASPERAPI) is poised to underscore Indonesia’s standing as a major hub for business and exhibition activities in the region through the Indonesia Business Events Forum (IBEF) 2025.
This event is scheduled to take place from 5–6 November 2025 at the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) Convention Center, in conjunction with the 20th AFECA Convention and the Asia 20 (A20) Forum. These two significant events will bring together representatives from 19 Asian countries that are members of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA).
On Friday, October 10, 2025, Hosea Andreas Runkat, the General Chairman of ASPERAPI, made remarks at the inauguration of the IBEF exhibition at the Aryaduta Hotel in Tugu Tani, Jakarta. He described IBEF as a marketplace for the Indonesian exhibition industry, a venue where business professionals convene, collaborate, and showcase their best efforts.
“This exhibition presents a valuable opportunity to showcase our work to representatives from 19 major countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea. IBEF is not just an exhibition, but a forum for cross-sector collaboration — from event organizers, venue managers, local governments, to creative actors,” he said.
Hosea explained that now is the era of collaboration. It is my hope that the government, at both the central and regional levels, will become involved. This event is intended for our own benefit and that of our colleagues.
“In addition to strengthening business networks, the presence of thousands of international industry leaders in Jakarta is expected to positively impact Indonesia’s image in the business world. “This is our opportunity to demonstrate Indonesia’s readiness to become a professional and world-class host,” he added.
One of the series of events from IBEF 2025 is the holding of the MICE Youth Challenge, a competition for students from 19 Asian countries which is being held for the first time in Indonesia.
This competition challenges tourism and event management students to present their innovative ideas in three minutes — using AFECA’s international standard format.
Indonesia has prepared three national winning teams, namely from Bandung tourism polytechnic, Prasetiya Mulya University, and one other university, to compete with 17 foreign teams.
“This is an important step to grow a new generation of MICE actors. We have started cultivating it since we were on campus,” said Hosea.
If successful, ASPERAPI plans to send Indonesia’s best team to compete at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) event in South Korea, opening up opportunities to reach the global level.
Even though he is optimistic, Hosea sees that there are obstacles still faced by international MICE industry players in Indonesia, namely complicated business visa regulations. He explained that the layered visa categories, such as C11 to C12, often made foreign participants and exhibitors confused.
“In foreign countries, just two are enough: a business visa and a tourist visa. In our country, there are too many types. Sometimes people come to an exhibition, but after that they want to see the factory, they have to change visas. This is not efficient,” he affirmed.
ASPERAPI is also coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism and Immigration to find a wiser solution, including opening immigration services at the event location on weekends to avoid process delays.
“Don’t let international participants be traumatized by coming to Indonesia because of administrative obstacles,” stressed Hosea.
For ASPERAPI, holding IBEF 2025, AFECA Convention 2025, and MICE Youth Challenge, is not just an annual event, but a big stage to show Indonesia’s leadership in the Asian region in the MICE industry.
Through forums, exhibitions and the MICE Youth Challenge competition, Indonesia wants to show that the national MICE industry is mature, competitive and ready to compete at the global level.
“It’s not easy, but we have to start now. We want to show that Indonesia can become the center of world business activities,” concluded Hosea full of optimism. [traveltext.id]
