Azin Asro
The Association of Indonesia Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) has officially confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) will remain at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD City, Tangerang. This announcement comes amid intensifying speculation regarding a potential move to the newly developed Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE) in the Pantai Indah Kapuk 2 (PIK 2) area. While the 2026 venue is locked in, the organizers have signaled that the long-term future of the exhibition remains subject to a rigorous evaluation of infrastructure, accessibility, and hospitality facilities.
Andy Wismarsyah, the CEO of Seven Event—the professional exhibition organizer behind GIIAS—clarified the current standing of the event’s venue selection during a recent press briefing in Jakarta. He emphasized that while the discourse surrounding a move to PIK 2 is significant, no definitive decision has been reached for the years following 2026. The primary concern for the organizers remains the seamless experience for both exhibitors and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attend the show annually.
Factors Influencing the Venue Selection Process
The decision to stay at ICE BSD for 2026 is rooted in the proven track record of the facility and the established ecosystem surrounding it. However, the emergence of NICE PIK 2 as a formidable competitor has forced the organizers to weigh several critical factors. According to Wismarsyah, the most vital consideration is accessibility. For an event of the magnitude of GIIAS, which serves as the primary barometer for the Indonesian automotive industry, the ease with which visitors can reach the venue is paramount.
"We have not yet made a final determination because the 2026 event itself is still in the planning stages," Wismarsyah explained. "However, the main thing we pay attention to, above all else, is access. That is our number one priority."
Beyond transportation links, the availability of accommodation—often referred to in the industry as lodging capacity—is a decisive factor. GIIAS is not merely a local exhibition; it is an international-scale event that attracts delegates, media representatives, and automotive executives from across the globe. The current infrastructure in BSD City provides a mature network of hotels ranging from budget-friendly options to five-star establishments, all within a short radius of the exhibition halls.
"The second factor is the limitation of lodging or accommodation," Wismarsyah continued. "If a new location can provide better capacity at affordable prices, it might no longer be an obstacle. But as of today, we are still gathering and analyzing information regarding those facilities."
A Comparative Analysis: ICE BSD City vs. NICE PIK 2
The debate over the venue is largely driven by the sheer scale of the new development in PIK 2. To understand why a move is being considered, one must look at the technical specifications of both locations. ICE BSD City has been the home of GIIAS since 2015, after the event outgrew its previous home at JIExpo Kemayoran.
ICE BSD City currently occupies a total land area of approximately 220,000 square meters. Its indoor exhibition space, consisting of 10 interconnected halls, covers roughly 50,000 square meters. Since its inauguration, it has been praised for its modern facilities and its role in transforming BSD City into a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) destination in Southeast Asia.
In contrast, NICE PIK 2 is being developed on a significantly larger footprint. The total land area for the NICE project is estimated at 400,000 square meters—nearly double the size of the ICE BSD site. This vast area offers immense potential for outdoor demonstrations, test drive tracks, and future expansions that are currently constrained by the boundaries of BSD City.
However, a closer look at the indoor exhibition halls reveals a much tighter competition. NICE PIK 2 is designed to offer approximately 55,100 square meters of indoor exhibition space. While this is an increase over ICE BSD, the 5,100-square-meter difference is relatively modest when considering the logistical upheaval required to move the entire show. The true advantage of NICE PIK 2 lies in its "greenfield" status, allowing for more flexible layouts and state-of-the-art technological integrations that were not available when ICE was built over a decade ago.
Historical Context: The Evolution of GIIAS
The history of Indonesia’s premier auto show is one of constant growth and adaptation. Originally known as the Gaikindo Auto Show, the event was held for many years at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan. As the Indonesian middle class grew and the automotive market expanded, the JCC became insufficient to house the increasing number of brands and the larger, more elaborate booths requested by manufacturers.
In 2015, the event underwent a major rebranding to become GIIAS and moved to the then-new ICE BSD City. At the time, the move was considered a significant risk due to the distance from central Jakarta. However, the move proved to be a masterstroke. The larger space allowed for a record number of world premieres and established GIIAS as a "Class A" international auto show, recognized by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA).
The current exploration of NICE PIK 2 mirrors the transition seen in 2015. Just as ICE BSD offered a solution to the congestion of central Jakarta, NICE PIK 2 is being positioned as the solution to the eventual saturation of the BSD facility. With more Chinese automotive brands entering the Indonesian market—such as BYD, GAC Aion, and Great Wall Motor—the demand for floor space has reached an all-time high.
Infrastructure and Regional Development
The potential move to PIK 2 is not just about the exhibition halls; it is intrinsically linked to the massive infrastructure projects currently underway in North Jakarta and Banten. PIK 2 is part of a "National Strategic Project" (PSN) status development, which ensures accelerated infrastructure growth.
The government and private developers are currently working on the Toll Interchange at PIK 2, which will connect the area directly to the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) and the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. For international guests, the proximity to the airport is a significant advantage that PIK 2 holds over BSD City. While BSD is accessible via multiple toll roads, the travel time from the airport can be unpredictable due to traffic density in the West Jakarta and Tangerang corridors.
On the other hand, BSD City has the advantage of a mature "city" ecosystem. It is served by a commuter line (KRL) through the Cisauk and Rawa Buntu stations, which are connected to the exhibition grounds via shuttle buses and integrated footbridges. For the average visitor from the Greater Jakarta area, the public transport links to BSD are currently superior to those available for PIK 2.
Implications for the Automotive Industry
For car manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs), the choice of venue involves complex cost-benefit analyses. A larger venue like NICE PIK 2 allows for more ambitious brand activations. In recent years, GIIAS has evolved from a simple sales event into a technology showcase, focusing heavily on Electric Vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving features.
Industry analysts suggest that if GIIAS moves to a larger venue, it could accommodate a dedicated indoor test track for EVs—a feature that is becoming common in major international shows like those in Munich or Shanghai. This would allow visitors to experience the quietness and torque of electric cars in a controlled, air-conditioned environment, regardless of weather conditions.
However, a move also entails higher costs. Setting up a booth at GIIAS is a multi-billion rupiah investment for major brands. A change in venue requires new logistical planning, different contractor arrangements, and a shift in marketing strategies to ensure that the target audience follows the show to its new location.
Future Outlook and the 2027 Decision
The confirmation that GIIAS 2026 will remain in Tangerang provides stability for the industry for the next two years. It allows Gaikindo and Seven Event to observe the completion and initial operation of NICE PIK 2, which is expected to begin hosting events as early as 2025.
"So, for 2026, it is certain that we will be there [ICE BSD City] again," Wismarsyah concluded. "As for 2027, we will see."
This "wait and see" approach is characteristic of the MICE industry, where long-term contracts are often balanced against the need for innovation. If NICE PIK 2 can prove that its "lodging" and "access" issues are resolved by 2026, the pressure to move may become irresistible.
The decision will ultimately rest on whether the perceived benefits of a nearly 100% increase in total land area and closer proximity to the international airport outweigh the established convenience and proven success of the BSD City location. For now, the automotive world will keep its eyes on Tangerang, while the developers of PIK 2 work feverishly to ensure their new "megastructure" is ready to compete for the crown of Indonesia’s exhibition hub.
As the Indonesian automotive market continues its trajectory toward becoming a regional EV hub, the venue for its flagship event will remain a central topic of discussion. Whether at ICE or NICE, GIIAS is poised to remain the definitive stage for the country’s industrial progress, reflecting the ambition and growth of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
