Pro AVL Indonesia show report: a legacy footprint with a future

Indonesia:

National trade shows continue to hold an appeal to a predominant base of local end users who don’t have the means to travel to major international gatherings. Hosting its third edition to date, Krista Exhibitions presented Pro AVL Indonesia Expo in one hall of the JI Expo Kemayoran in Jakarta. Swapping excessive decibels in dark rooms for professionally designed stands competing with educational schedules, today’s exhibitions have come a long way since the 1990s. Although Pro AVL Indonesia is closer to the yesteryear category, it fills a much-needed void for those operating in the AVL industries in West Java and beyond.

Billed as a professional audio, visual, lighting and technology exhibition, the three-day event predominantly showcased technologies from local producers and suppliers, together with Chinese manufacturers. Indonesian manufacturers are starting to make themselves visible and, in the case of Sora Systems, heard. Established Indonesian distributor founded the Acoustic Sound Image Integrated Solution (ASIIS) brand several years ago, and its ensemble of loudspeakers, amplifiers and processors are benefitting from an international platform. To discover a rising brand in its infancy is what draws buyers to such exhibitions.

The recent trend of protectionism in international trading is perhaps sparking a quiet revolution among those manufacturers seeking to maintain or even increase their export market share. With almost half of the exhibitors originating from China, there can be no doubt that these manufacturers are seeking to benefit from a growing economy in a region that is home to over 280 million people.

For the past two decades, the Indonesian government has increased tariffs, passed new laws that have impacted on trade and restricted foreign investments. Collaboration continues to be in vogue and perhaps this show in the JI Expo Kemayoran extends this theme, whereby Indonesian investors and Chinese brands can mutually benefit one another.

Although the SPLs were at times excessive, Pro AVL Indonesia 2024 also presented a musical facet, with several instrument suppliers and manufacturers predominantly showcasing guitars Musical instruments were also being played on the entertainment stage at the rear of the hall, and this proved to be the biggest draw of the show. Three days appeared to be excessive for a show confined to one hall and certainly the daily opening hours of 10am until 7pm tested the will of several exhibitors. However, the demand for a local exhibition exists among Indonesians operating in the entertainment industry. Should Krista Exhibitions upgrade in 2025, its appeal could easily extend beyond the archipelago.