Change is sweeping across Jakarta as the city enhances its hardware to achieve its goal of becoming a global economic and business city. Key to these changes are new and expanded convention and exhibition centres.
Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group are jointly constructing the Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE) and other event venues within the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 2 mixed-use mega project in Jakarta’s northern coastal area.
NICE will be built in phases, with phase one scheduled to commence operations in September 2025. The development, valued at US$2.6 million, will span over 40 hectares and comprise three exhibition buildings with 54,560m2 of space. Events will have a selection of 11 exhibition halls, a pre-function hall, and an 18,000m2 atrium along with VVIP and green rooms. There will also be 30,000m2 of outdoor space for concerts and festivals, and a 1.3-hectare courtyard for dining, leisure, and entertainment facilities.
Speaking to the media during a site visit, Ryan Adrian, managing director of Industri Pameran Nusantara, a joint venture venue management company of Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group, said 17 anchor events have been lined up for NICE.
NICE’s phase two development has also been set for 2026. This will comprise a 30,000m2 convention building, 47 meeting rooms, and four- and five-star hotels.
“When completed, NICE will enable Indonesia to capture new opportunities in regional business events and contribute towards greater vibrancy of the PIK precinct,” he added.
NICE will be complemented by many other developments, including direct toll access to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport and the Inner and Outer Ring Road to reach Jakarta CBD, marina and jetty terminal, and lifestyle complex.
Both Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group are also developing the Spike Air Dome, set to open in February 2025 to inject nine hectares of event spaces to the area. This will be located in a community park, where corporate and community gatherings are hosted.
Jakarta will also see the expansion of its Jakarta International Expo (JI Expo) in Kemayoran. Starting next year, the venue will add a three-storey building that will house a 3,000m2 Grand Ballroom, a 1,000m2 Junior Ballroom, 14 meeting rooms, and a Grand Theatre auditorium with 2,500 seats.
Ralph Sheunemann, marketing director of JI Expo Kemayoran told TTGmice: “Demand for events has been increasing exponentially after the pandemic. We have been experiencing a lack of space since last year, and our venues are full all year up to 2026, except for January when we are running 40 to 50 per cent occupancy. Therefore, we must expand.” – Additional reporting by Mimi Hudoyo