Monday, 22 June 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas officially concluded the series of events at the IMM Expo & Arena Fest 2026, organized by the Medan branch leadership of the Muhammadiyah Student Association (PC IMM Medan), held at Lapangan Pertiwi, Jalan Budi Pembangunan, on Saturday evening, June 20, 2026. The event is among the major programs that bring together creativity, ideas, and the energy of young people in an open collaborative space for the wider public.
The closing ceremony took place in a festive atmosphere and was attended by numerous guests, including the Chairperson of PC IMM Medan, M. Rais Prayogo; the Chairperson of the Medan City Council, Wong Chun Sen; and several senior officials from the Medan municipal government. Their presence reflected strong institutional support for spaces of self-expression for the younger generation in Medan.The IMM Expo & Arena Fest 2026 was not merely an organizational program but also showcased a wide range of activities across different social sectors. These included a micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME/UMKM) bazaar, arts and cultural performances, creative competitions, inspirational talk shows, monologues, cabaret performances, and other artistic displays highlighting the talents and potential of IMM members and Medan's youth.
Youth Creativity Shapes the IMM Expo StageThe event clearly demonstrated that students are not only a critical intellectual group but also a driving force of creative development within society. Numerous MSME booths featured local products from various sectors, including culinary specialties, handicrafts, and other creative works by young entrepreneurs.
The dedicated stage area also provided space for musical, theatrical, and performing arts presentations. The program was further enriched by talk shows and public discussions that fostered intensive dialogue between students, government representatives, and the community.In his remarks, Mayor Rico Waas expressed appreciation for the successful implementation of the event. He emphasized that IMM Medan had delivered a concept that not only entertains but also promotes education and productivity for society.
"On behalf of the Medan City Government and personally, I congratulate the successful implementation of IMM Expo and Arena Fest, and I extend my highest appreciation to PC IMM Medan," said Rico Waas.Students, Criticism, and Spaces for Development Solutions
Rico Waas underlined the important role of student organizations such as IMM in regional development processes. According to him, students are not only critics of government policies but must also be capable of producing concrete innovations that offer solutions for society.He described the event as a strong example of how critical thinking and creativity can be integrated within the student movement.
"This is something very positive in the student world. Not only critical, but also creative and solution-oriented," Waas stated.He also highlighted the economic impact of the event, noting that the MSME bazaar provided local entrepreneurs with opportunities to market their products while strengthening local economic dynamics.
"What has been done here is a form of solution by creating space for creativity while also opening economic opportunities. We are very proud of that," he said.Collaboration Between Youth and Government as Medan's Future Key
Rico Waas further stressed the importance of sustaining such initiatives. He urged IMM Medan to continue creating creative spaces to maximize youth potential.He views such programs as essential in shaping a productive, creative, and socially responsible younger generation.
"Such positive activities should be held more often so members have greater space for development," he said.He also emphasized that Medan's development cannot be carried out by the government alone but requires active participation from all societal elements, particularly the youth.
"My hope is that through collaboration between IMM and the Medan City Government, we can build a better city together," he stated.He concluded that such cooperation must be strengthened across various fields, including education, creative economy, and social development, so that Medan can grow not only in infrastructure but also in strong human resources.
The closing of IMM Expo & Arena Fest 2026 marks the continued growth of youth expression in Medan. It also highlights the strategic role of students in promoting constructive social change through ideas, creativity, and real collaboration within society. (IDNC)REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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