Rising COVID concerns prompts IBC to cancel in-person event in Amsterdam

IBC will now focus on bringing the content and technology community together via IBC Digital

The in-person IBC 2021 event has been cancelled, the show’s organisers have confirmed.

The move follows growing concerns about the COVID-19 situation in The Netherlands, which has deteriorated over the past week, and feedback from the IBC exhibitor and visitor community.

The IBC Partnership Board made the decision today in order to prevent exhibitors and visitors from travelling to The Netherlands.

IBC2021 will now focus on bringing the content and technology community together via IBC Digital.

The IABM, the international trade association for broadcast and media technology, welcomed the move, with CEO Peter White stating: “In these exceptionally uncertain times it is the right thing to do and is a reflection of IBC’s responsibility to the industry.

“IBC exists for the industry only. Unlike other events, it is entirely owned by the industry and, thanks to its success over the years, has contributed a great deal through this structure to keeping the Broadcast and Media sector vibrant and moving forward; there is no substitute for the good work it enables or the sense of community it engenders. IBC is truly By the industry, For the industry.

“It is therefore particularly important that we all get behind IBC now to ensure it can bring back a fantastic show in 2022 and beyond.

On 16 November, IBC announced that the 2021 show would be going ahead with amended opening hours.

This followed the news that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had implemented a three-week partial lockdown after the country recorded an increase in COVID-19 cases.

IBC 2021 was due to take place on December 3-6 at The RAI in Amsterdam,