The Gelora Bung Karno Complex Management Center (PPKGBK) has rebranded the Jakarta Convention Center – which stands on Block 14 of the Gelora Bung Karno complex – as the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC).
This is amid ongoing unresolved legal disputes with Graha Sidang Pratama (GSP), the centre’s management company.
In line with the rebranding, PPKGBK has announced plans to establish a dedicated business unit to manage JICC operations. During this transition period, the venue will be directly managed by PPKGBK under the leadership of Sri Lestari Puji Astuti, the head of marketing and sales at PPKGBK.
Sri indicated that the focus now was on ensuring operational continuity while honouring all existing contracts.
“We are prioritising clients who have already made reservations or bookings (with GSP), as the event schedule is likely packed until mid-year,” she said, adding that to ensure that existing events are executed smoothly, no new requests will be processed.
The transition has been met with some controversy, with industry players reporting challenges in event organisation.
Speaking at the JICC rebranding announcement, Wahyu Promo Citra’s CEO Sukur Saka pointed out that the new management’s sudden changes to rules and contracts, including pre-event full rental payment deadlines, have created difficulties for event organisers.
Sukur explained that the PEO encountered difficulties coordinating logistics with several different parties, as the company was unsure of their standards and prevented from using its own established vendors.
With unresolved legal issues still pending, industry stakeholders worry that such sudden changes will persist.
Jeffrey Eugene, secretary general of the Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association, said: “This is business; we can’t be given something uncertain, especially when it involves costs, reputation, and responsibility to clients and the public.”
Jeffrey highlighted growing doubts among members regarding the newly-rebranded JICC’s capacity to deliver the expected level of service and management competence.
Although JICC has hired experienced hospitality professionals, Jeffrey pointed out that managing an exhibition venue requires a distinct skill set that goes beyond traditional hospitality experience.
On the other hand, finding viable alternatives to JICC is also a challenge.
“In Jakarta, there aren’t many venues with large spaces, and most of the ones that exist are already fully booked,” Jeffrey stated.
While organisers with events before March 2025 are largely committed to JICC due to time limitations, those planning events after June are already considering alternative locations.
Yudha Imam Sutedja, managing director of Okta Sejahtera Insani, shared that his company is considering moving their upcoming Hospital Expo to another venue.
“It will be a tough decision as JICC’s location is premium, but for us, the quality of services and management competence are key,” he said.
