IBC

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Latest Date and Venue Changes for IBC

IBC's 2025 edition will take place in a hybrid format - a live trade fair complemented by a digital platform. The live exposition will take place at the Amsterdam RAI from 12.09.2025 to 15.09.2025.

Presentation of Amsterdam RAI

The Amsterdam RAI is the largest exposition centre in the Netherlands. The centre is located in the city's Zuidas business district and first opened its doors in 1961. It consists of 22 conference rooms and 11 exhibition halls. It also includes two theatres - Europahal RAI and RAI Theatre. Europahal seats around 12,900 attendees, while RAI Theatre accommodates 1,750 attendees. The total area of the indoor meeting space is 112,200 m2 (1,208,000 sq. ft.). The Amsterdam RAI has undergone two renovations - once in 2007  and once in 2018. 

Amsterdam RAI has excellent public transportation connections. This is due to the nearby train station as well as metro stops. Additionally, the venue has underground parking with 4000 parking spaces. These connections as well as the state-of-the-art infrastructure make Amsterdam RAI a popular event venue. As a result, the event centre has an extensive event calendar. The Amsterdam RAI hosts around 50 global conferences and 70 trade fairs, including the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC). The hosting venue has also been the event location for the Eurovision and the Grand Gala du Disque. The average number of yearly visitors to Amsterdam RAI is 2 million. In 2001, the event centre welcomed its 75 millionth visitor.

Brief Description of IBC

The International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) is held at the Amsterdam RAI. The trade show is one of the most important events for the media and broadcasting industry. This is because the annual event allows experts to learn about new products. IBC also allows attendees to network as well as showcase their latest products. IBC is also the main information-providing event for experts looking to develop their knowledge. This includes leading specialists and company owners. 

What Can Participants Expect from the Programme?

IBC is a trade show that can assist professionals in achieving a few business objectives. This includes goals such as networking and creating new sales opportunities. They furthermore include advancing one's specialist knowledge, including learning about innovations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to increase their competitiveness. They can additionally conduct market research at the convention.

IBC offers a comprehensive programme to assist professionals in achieving their business objectives. A detailed exhibition, as well as various forums, are included in the event's programme. Such include the IBC Partnership area and the Leaders' Forum. The Cyber Security Forum and the Telco & Media Innovation Forum are worth attending. The IBC also includes the micro-events known as the Big Screen, the Future Zone, and the IBC Launch Pad. Participants should note that many of the sub-events are designed to provide recognition. Among them are the IBC International Honour for Excellence and the Innovation Awards. The Accelerator Program and Workflow Tours also provide recognition.

The exhibition is one of the main sub-events of the IBC. It provides attendees with an overview of the industry. It furthermore enables learning about the latest innovations and to generate sales leads. Participants can also raise brand awareness and establish new partnerships. Broadcasting technology is among the products on display at the exposition. It also showcases products related to cable television and lighting technology.

Many of the sub-events can aid attendees in expanding their knowledge. This is due to such micro-events allowing them to learn about the newest trends. Examples of such micro-events include the three Forums. These are known as the Leader's Forum, the Cyber Security Forum, and the Telco & Media Innovation Forum. The Leader's Forum is a meeting place for the industry's most influential leaders. This includes CEOs and board members of companies like Microsoft, Alibaba, and Netflix. During the Leader's Forum, attendees can discuss important industry issues. The Leader's Forum frequently includes a central theme. "The Search for Growth" topic, for example, focused on the industry's newest development stage. The theme also focused on innovative finance models and brand safety in the digital age.

The Cyber Security Forum attracts CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, and CDOs. The Forum allows specialists to learn about the latest cybersecurity broadcasting challenges. Examples include how to protect personal information during transmissions. They also include subjects such as how to improve viewer protection. The fraud prevention topic is often discussed as well. The main meeting sub-event for C-suite executives is the Telco & Media Innovation Forum. It is at the Forum that attendees can discuss opportunities for collaboration. They can also examine challenges encountered by telecom players and content providers. Professionals can additionally learn about digital transformation and OTT content innovations. 

Many dedicated zones at the IBC can assist specialists in expanding their knowledge. Examples include the Future Zone, the Big Screen, and the IBC Launch Pad. The Future Zone is where innovators such as start-ups and leading researchers can present their novel technologies. Visitors can learn about the latest technologies, such as UVW innovations. The Big Screen Zone is devoted to the industry's cinema sector. It is a sub-event that presents information on the sector's most pressing challenges. It also examines the cinema sector's newest themes, opportunities, and insights. This includes changes in the business, science, and aspects of the market segment. Participants can learn, for example, how the latest VR innovations can engage audiences. They can also learn how to use the new technologies to increase sales. The main sub-event and zone for start-ups is the IBC Launch Pad. It is here that such businesses can showcase their services and products. This enables them to gain recognition, form new partnerships, and generate sales leads.

Start-ups can additionally opt for attending a few other sub-events. This includes the International Honour for Excellence and the Innovation Awards. They furthermore include the Workflow Tour. The International Honour for Excellence is the event's highest mark of honour. It is an award that recognises technical or creative innovators. It also lauds individuals and organisations who have made important social/industry changes. Nominees who have promoted the exchange of knowledge may also be honoured. Sir David Attenborough is an example of an individual who has received the Honour. Organisations are also recognised through the Innovation Awards. They applaud creative collaboration solutions that address market challenges such as post-pandemic adaptation. There are three award categories: content creation, content distribution, and content everywhere. "Content Creation" focuses on innovations that solve content creation and delivery challenges. This includes solutions for delivering content using virtual reality technologies. Content Distribution recognises solutions that handle content distribution, such as new ways to reach a larger audience. "Content Everywhere" focuses on new technologies that promote content interaction in new ways. During the Workflow Tours, attendees can learn about collaboration workflow technologies. This includes ones related to content acquisition, production, post-production, and cloud-based collaboration. Examples include new camera models, innovative illumination systems, and the latest AI-enabled tools.

The Accelerator Programme often serves as the starting point for innovations. It is a special sub-event consisting of live demonstrations and panel discussions. Both start-ups and leading corporations, such as the Associated Press, attend the event. Attendees can learn about challenges such as adapting to 5G networks during the sub-event. They can also choose to take part in the discussions. This allows them to contribute to the development of collaborative solutions.

Why Should You Think About Attending IBC?

The IBC is a premier trade show for the media and broadcasting industries. Over 56,000 participants attend its yearly editions. Among them are over 1,700 exhibitors. More than 150 countries attend the event, including:

  • The USA

  • France

  • Belgium

  • Norway

  • Germany

  • China

  • The UK

  • Argentina

  • South Africa

  • Japan

  • Brazil

  • Russia

  • Canada

  • Egypt

What Types of Participants Visit IBC?

IBC is attended by professionals such as:

  • Camera operators
  • Music directors
  • Sound engineers
  • Studio managers
  • Broadcasters
  • Broadcast engineers
  • Announcers
  • Broadcast News Analysts
  • Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians
  • Radio Operators
  • Recording Engineers
  • Radio technicians
  • Specialists in media technology
  • Companies specialising in content acquisition and production
  • Sound Mixers
  • Technical Producers
  • Videographers
  • Proofreaders
  • Production Managers
  • Editors
  • Business or creative executives
  • Academic institutions including research centres and universities
  • Owners of media companies
  • Production assistants
  • Companies that specialise in system automation, monitoring, storage, consumption
  • Writers of content, including bloggers and journalists
  • Graphic artists
  • Radio technicians
  • Program and news directors
  • Administrative Assistants
  • Animators
  • Associate Producers
  • Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
  • Line Producers
  • Motion Picture Set Workers
  • Photographers
  • Production Artists
  • Production Assistants
  • Companies that specialise in play-out
  • Stage Hands
  • Project Coordinators and Managers
 

Google, Canon, Microsoft, Adobe, Disney, and others are among the leading IBC exhibitors.

Logistics Details to Note When Preparing Your Visit

The IBC is held once a year and takes place for four days at the Amsterdam RAI. The IBC is hosted by a company with the same name as the trade fair. The first, second, third, and fourth days of the IBC have different opening hours. On the first day of operation, the trade show takes place from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The event is held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on the second and third days. IBC takes place between 8:30 and 4:00 pm on the fourth and final day of the trade show.

The Amsterdam RAI is an exposition centre with easy access. This is because of the diverse transport links that connect the venue to the city. For instance, there is a bus line that links the Schiphol Airport to the site. The bus journey using the link allows reaching the RAI in 17 minutes. Similarly, reaching the site from the central railway station via metro will take 10 minutes. The Amsterdam RAI is also easily accessible from nearby cities. The bus line from Almere to the event venue, for example, allows reaching the site in 45 minutes.

Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination, with many lodging and dining options. Travellers to the metropolis can choose from hostels, hotels, and apartments. They can also opt for guest houses in the city and its surrounding cities, such as Almere. Amsterdam offers a variety of restaurants, diners, bars, and clubs as dining options. Prices can range from affordable to expensive depending on the precinct, time of day, and menu. When searching for accommodation, consider the districts of Jordaan and Westerpark.

What Amsterdam Accommodation Options can GETA Ltd provide?

Finding suitable business travel hotel accommodation can be time-consuming and difficult. This applies to both solo travellers and large travelling groups. Because of such difficulties, you will often find that you have little time to prepare for the IBC. This can be detrimental as it can lead to your visit to the fair being unsuccessful. GETA Ltd can help you in avoiding such a problem by handling all accommodation tasks. This includes finding suitable lodging based on your needs. We can help you due to our extensive list of hotel partners. This allows us to choose cost-saving, high-quality, and comfortable accommodation. This includes luxury hotel brands and affordable guesthouses. 

Past editions