October 18th, 2026
PERHUMAS BPC Bandung Strengthens Public Relations Competence, Highlights AI through Sustainability at KHI 2026
JURNALINDONESIAUPDATE – The Indonesian Public Relations Association (PERHUMAS) Bandung Branch Management Board (BPC) attended the 2026 Indonesian Public Relations Convention (KHI) which took place on October 17–18, 2026, in Surakarta, Central Java. This participation serves as a form of commitment in strengthening professionalism, inter-regional collaboration, and the strategic role of public relations in building public trust.
Carrying the theme "Public Relations as the Nation's Power: Weaving Trust, Moving Indonesia", KHI 2026 brought together communication practitioners, academics, corporate leaders, government, professional organizations, media, and the younger generation. The activity, organized by PERHUMAS together with Katadata, places trust as an important foundation in strengthening the relationship between institutions and society.
The Chairman of PERHUMAS BPC Bandung, Dr. Indra Ardiyanto, M.I.Kom., assessed that KHI 2026 is a strategic momentum to strengthen the transformation of the public relations profession amidst the development of digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the increasing demands for organizational transparency and accountability.
“The public relations profession today is no longer sufficient just to act as an information deliverer or organizational image manager. Public relations must become a driver of trust, a guardian of integrity, as well as a strategic partner in building sustainable relationships between organizations and stakeholders,” said Indra.
He emphasized that public trust is not enough to be built through good communication. Organizations also need to show consistency between commitments, actions, and real impacts felt by the community.
The Strategic Role of Public Relations in the Era of Digital Transformation
KHI 2026 discussed various strategic issues related to the development of the communication profession, ranging from crisis communication, information polarization, digital transformation, the utilization of AI, leadership, sustainability, to the strengthening of the nation's reputation.
In the forum, the success of organizational communication is not only viewed from the reach of information or media exposure. The ability to build legitimacy, create understanding, and maintain long-term relationships with the public is also an important aspect.
According to Indra, the changing communication landscape demands public relations practitioners to think strategically, understand risks, master technology, and apply ethical communication principles.
“In an era when information can be produced and disseminated in a matter of seconds, the biggest challenge for the public relations profession is no longer just how to deliver a message, but how to ensure that the information is credible, accountable, and capable of building trust,” he explained.
He added that communication competence needs to go hand in hand with integrity, empathy, and social responsibility so that the information conveyed can be accounted for.
Sustainability Becomes the Foundation of Public Trust
One of the agendas discussed at KHI 2026 was “Sustainability as the Foundation of Trust”. This discussion emphasized the importance of integrating actions, data, narratives, and impacts in building an organization's reputation.
For PERHUMAS BPC Bandung, this issue is relevant to corporate communication practices, especially when organizations are demanded to show commitment to environmental, social, and governance aspects or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
Indra assessed that sustainability communication needs to go beyond delivering positive stories about the organization. The information conveyed must be supported by performance evidence, transparency, and accountability.
“Sustainability communication must not stop at delivering positive stories about the organization. Communication must be able to show performance evidence, openness to challenges, and real impacts for the community and the environment,” he added.
With this approach, organizational reputation is expected to be formed through actions that can be proven, not just communication narratives.
PERHUMAS BPC Bandung Expands Professional Collaboration
Presence at KHI 2026 is also part of PERHUMAS BPC Bandung's effort to expand professional networks and strengthen collaboration with various PERHUMAS Branch Management Boards in Indonesia.
Previously, PERHUMAS BPC Bandung held a series of Road to KHI 2026 discussions with the theme “Building Trust, Shaping Influence: The Future of Public Relations”. This series discussed four important dimensions in building trust, namely Trust in Crisis, Trust in Technology, Trust in Power, and Trust in Culture & Sustainability.
This activity became PERHUMAS BPC Bandung's contribution in encouraging knowledge exchange, strengthening competence, and increasing understanding of the strategic role of communication in facing organizational and community challenges.
Through participation in KHI 2026, PERHUMAS BPC Bandung is committed to continuing educational activities, professional discussions, academic collaboration, and capacity building for communication practitioners in Bandung and West Java.
KHI 2026 Highlights Cultural Values and Public Relations Regeneration
The organization of KHI 2026 in Surakarta also elevated cultural values and local wisdom as inspiration to build trust. Through the concept of the Six Knots of Trust, this forum raised the values of noble character, leadership, consistency, meaning, harmony, and sustainability as the foundation of the public relations profession's contribution to national development.
KHI 2026 was also structured with the Young Public Relations Meeting (PEMUDA) 2026 as a space for capacity building, learning, and regeneration of prospective Indonesian communication leaders.
Closing his statement, Indra emphasized the importance of the involvement of various stakeholders in building a professional, inclusive, and sustainable communication ecosystem.
“Trust is a very important social capital for the future of the nation. Through KHI 2026, we hope that the public relations profession will be increasingly able to take on the role of a bridge of interests, a driver of collaboration, and a guardian of Indonesia's reputation,” he stated.
He added that PERHUMAS BPC Bandung is ready to be part of a joint movement to build communication that is integral, ethical, and provides a positive impact for the community.
Participation in KHI 2026 is expected to strengthen synergy among branch boards, expand professional networks, and encourage the birth of various collaborative initiatives for the development of the public relations profession in Indonesia.
Source: https://jurnalindonesiaupdate.com/perhumas-bpc-bandung-perkuat-kompetensi-humas-soroti-ai-hingga-keberlanjutan-di-khi-2026/