Indonesia Unveils Major New Business Events Platform in Jakarta Combining Market Exchange and Industry Forum to Boost Regional MICE Connectivity

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Indonesia has launched a new business events platform in Jakarta combining the Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM) and the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF) to strengthen regional MICE connectivity. Developed with E&C Productions, TTG Events, and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, the initiative is expected to gather around 250 buyers and 200 sellers at the Jakarta International Convention Center. IBEM will focus on business matchmaking between industry players, while SEABEF will host discussions on trends, sustainability, and regional cooperation, positioning Jakarta as a growing hub for MICE events in Southeast Asia.

The programme is being developed through collaboration between E&C Productions, TTG Events, and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, reflecting a coordinated effort to position Indonesia more prominently on the global business events map.

IBEM is expected to gather around 250 hosted buyers and approximately 200 exhibitors and suppliers during its first edition. Participants will represent a wide cross-section of the industry, including destination marketing organisations, hotel groups, convention centres, travel operators, and event service providers.

The event will be staged at the Jakarta International Convention Center, a key venue in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta. The location offers direct access to the city’s expanding hospitality infrastructure and is supported by strong international connectivity through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the region.

Jakarta has been increasingly promoted as a strategic MICE destination due to its role as Indonesia’s political and economic centre, as well as its improving convention infrastructure and growing portfolio of international-standard hotels. The city is now competing more actively with other Southeast Asian hubs for regional conferences and exhibitions.

IBEM will operate as a structured business matchmaking platform, focusing on pre-arranged meetings between buyers and sellers. The objective is to facilitate direct commercial engagement, allowing destinations and suppliers to showcase offerings, negotiate partnerships, and generate future event leads.

Alongside IBEM, SEABEF will serve as a knowledge-sharing forum aimed at strengthening regional dialogue within the business events sector. The forum will bring together government representatives, tourism authorities, industry associations, and private sector leaders from across Southeast Asia.

Discussions at SEABEF are expected to cover key issues shaping the future of the MICE industry, including shifting travel demand, sustainability practices, digital innovation in events, and cross-border collaboration within the ASEAN region.

By hosting both events simultaneously, organisers aim to merge commercial activity with policy-level discussion, creating a single ecosystem where networking, deal-making, and industry exchange can take place in parallel.

Indonesia’s tourism authorities view the MICE sector as a critical driver of high-value travel, given its ability to attract international delegates who contribute significantly to accommodation, transport, dining, and cultural spending. The launch of IBEM is part of a wider strategy to expand this segment and diversify tourism beyond leisure-focused travel.

The event also aligns with Indonesia’s broader ambition to strengthen its position within Southeast Asia’s growing business events economy, where countries are investing heavily in convention infrastructure and destination branding to attract global meetings.

Following the main programme, a post-event familiarisation tour will be arranged for hosted buyers and media delegates by Dinas Pariwisata dan Kreatif Ekonomi DKI. The initiative is designed to extend the experience beyond the convention floor and highlight Jakarta’s wider tourism offerings.

Participants will be taken to several coastal and island destinations, including Onrust Island and Macan Island. These locations showcase a different side of the capital region, focusing on heritage, nature, and marine tourism experiences.

The familiarisation programme aims to strengthen destination awareness among international buyers while encouraging them to consider Jakarta not only as a business hub but also as a leisure extension destination. This approach reflects a growing trend in the MICE industry, where destination experience plays an increasingly important role in event design and attendee engagement.

With IBEM and SEABEF, Indonesia is positioning itself to create a recurring regional platform that supports business development, industry collaboration, and tourism promotion. The initiative signals a broader push to elevate Jakarta’s visibility within Southeast Asia’s evolving meetings and events landscape while supporting long-term growth in the country’s MICE sector.