Hosea Andreas Runkat Reveals The Biggest Problem Of Asperapi Members During The COVID-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA - One of the crucial problems faced by exhibition business players who are members of the Indonesian Exhibition Company Association (Asperapi) is the issue of licensing. Hosea Andreas Runkat as the General Chair of Asperapi did not ask the government for many things so that their business could run again. One of the requests is the relaxation of permits.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, people who wanted to take part in the exhibition had their first question about permits. Does the permit already exist? Is this an exhibition you want to hold allowed or not? The problem is that they have to spend a number of production costs related to the exhibition that will be followed. If it has been prepared, it turns out that at a later date the exhibition will be canceled, the money that has been spent will be lost," he told VOI not long ago, while chatting casually about exhibition opportunities during the COVID-19 Pandemic at his office at the Jakarta Convention Center, Central Jakarta.

Andre admits that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the type of MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) business they have been running so far. According to Andrea, who is the General Chair of Asperapi 2019-2022, because what they are doing is gathering the masses, during this pandemic period, exhibition business actors cannot do much at all.

“How do you want an exhibition if we are asked to keep our distance from one another. Reduce crowds and gather time. While the exhibition activities that have been carried out so far are all related to things that are actually prohibited during the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

How about a virtual cast? “Indeed, some have started to conduct virtual exhibitions, but they are still not optimal. The purpose of attending an exhibition, they will not miss the opportunity to hold, try or stare at the items on display. Without feeling it directly, it's certainly not enough. That is the shortcoming of digital technology which will never be replaced by a real exhibition,” said one of the top leaders at the Jakarta Convention Center.

Then what is the solution? Yes, waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic to be more conducive, continued Hosea Andreas Runkat. He appreciated the government's intensive vaccination measures to pursue heard immunity in the community. After the situation is sloping and the level of PPKM decreases, the restrictions on community activities will still be loose. In the end, their activities of holding exhibitions can run again.