Amsterdam kit show, IBC, has confirmed that it will now take place in December this year.
The decision follows a period of consultation with the industry on whether a live physical event was possible or desirable in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Now the IBC Partnership Board has agreed that IBC2021 will take place on December 3-6 at its usual home, The RAI in Amsterdam.
IBC CEO, Mike Crimp said: “Our conclusion is based on the results of the recent IBC exhibitor and visitor surveys and macro evidence of Europe opening up for business. We really value the feedback and candid input of our community – we have always been “By the industry, For the industry” and this ethos continues to guide our daily decision making process.”
IBC’s survey showed that two thirds of survey respondents said assurance of robust onsite health and safety protocols would encourage them to attend; vaccination passport entry was by far the most popular measure. 86% of survey respondents said they were very likely, and 13% likely to have been vaccinated by December. Two thirds of respondents already feel they are ready to travel, and a vast majority expect any corporate travel restriction policies to be updated by the end of the summer.
“IBC’s priority is to deliver a safe and valuable event with tangible benefits for all participants,” said Crimp. “We believe the best way for us to achieve that is to take advantage of our opportunity to move the event to December. We did not shift from September lightly. However, as the evidence was gathered and considered, there was a shifting sentiment towards December from both exhibitors and visitors. Clearly, IBC will be safest when attendees are vaccinated, and shifting to December allows us to implement the most appropriate safety protocols. In turn, this will enable us to maximise the audience.
“We also had to consider the ability of the supply chain to deliver a high quality event. We believe that key services such as airports and airlines, and hotels will have established smooth operations and be able to provide a more streamlined service by December.
“IBC2021 will bring the content and technology industry together again to discover the future of media and do business face-to-face. We believe the future of events is hybrid, and IBC2021 will lead the way in this new era. Whether onsite in Amsterdam or onscreen at home, the 250,000 strong IBC community will be able to engage and enjoy the insights, innovation, and interaction through IBC Digital. This hybrid digital platform will create a compelling hybrid event that combines the best of the show floor with state-of-the-art online interaction, and delivers new opportunities for exhibitors, speakers and show attendees to share information and experiences.”
Jon Creamer
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