FRIDAY 11th SEPTEMBER
3.45-5.45 Reuters MCP Live: Happy Hour Drinks, Demos and AI-Native Workflows, 5.D44
Join Reuters for drinks, live demonstrations and networking with the product and technology teams shaping the next generation of news workflows. See how Reuters MCP brings trusted content into AI-native environments, explore live transcription and translation capabilities, and discover new ways to activate, distribute and monetise content.
Register here
4-6pm Rise Networking Drinks with Evertz, stand 2.A47
Start IBC with an informal opportunity to reconnect with the Rise community and meet peers from across broadcast and media technology.
5-7pm IBC Pride Happy Hour, The Traveller Restaurant
Now in its third year, the much-celebrated IBC Pride Happy Hour has become established as the place to be on Friday evening at the IBC show, attracting not only LGBTQ+ industry colleagues and allies but also others who love the event’s vibrant and positive atmosphere. This year’s event is proudly supported by returning partners Quickplay and Caretta Research, and sponsors Evergent and Yospace. Legendary drag queens Reggy B and Tootsi will bring their vibrancy and charisma to the popular event.
Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ibc-pride-happy-hour-tickets-1993351245234?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER
07.30 Race 4 the Future charity run
The much-loved annual 4km charity run or walk raises funds that support the development of the next generation of media and technology talent. Whether racing for time or strolling with friends, every step taken supports Rise Academy’s work to open doors for underrepresented young people breaking into the industry.
Register here: https://www.rise-academy.live/race-4-the-future/
SMPTE Partner Programme Sessions at IBC2026
SMPTE will present four sessions within the IBC2026 Partner Programme. Free to attend, these expert-led sessions explore the technologies, workflows and business models reshaping the media industry.
2.30–3.30, E102
Sovereign AI and Sovereign Cloud
Speaker: Hans Hoffman, deputy director technology and innovation, EBU
3.30–4.10, E102
Dynamic Media Facility: Why It Matters, and Why Now
Speaker: Willem Vermost, senior IP media technology architect
4.10–4.50, E102
OGraf: Making Broadcast Graphics Open and Accessible
Speakers: Paola Sunna, senior technology innovation manager, Eurovision Italy/EBU;
Niels Borg, TV2.DK
4.50–5.30, E102
The Innovation Flywheel: How Open Source and Standards Reinforce Each Other
Speaker: Thomas Bause Mason, director of standards development, SMPTE
4:00–6:00, Stand 2.A47
Evertz & SMPTE Drinks and Networking Event
Evertz is partnering with SMPTE to provide relaxed networking and complimentary refreshments. Current members and those interested in learning more are welcome!
Register here: https://smpte.swoogo.com/ibc-drinks2026
3-4.30 Rise Awards Networking Drinks and Shortlist, 6.A23
Join Rise for the annual Rise Awards networking drinks and highly anticipated awards shortlist announcement. Register here.
4.30-5.30 Rise Happy Hour with Appear, 1.C61
Register here.
SUNDAY 13th SEPTEMBER
8.00-10.30 SundAI Breakfast, Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam Zuidas
SundAI returns in 2026 with a larger room, a sharper programme and the same focus: cutting through the AI noise and creating a meaningful conversation about real adoption, business impact and market direction.
The programme will explore AI market trends, adoption strategies, implementation experiences, business models, innovation opportunities and the launch of the AI² platform, an M&E-specific platform designed to provide real-time insights for our industry.
Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sundai-breakfast-tickets-1993154498760?aff=oddtdtcreator
9.30-11.45 Rise—Speak with confidence workshop
Rise UpSkill workshop is for anyone who wants to communicate with greater confidence and make their expertise heard. Led by Sylvia Cohen, it will offer tools to help participants prepare for high-stakes conversations, contribute more confidently in meetings and panels, and step up to the microphone with clarity and presence.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDEC_XBrqj3n4nzJcumSMI-AYYvVXaVKPMrESzWEozYFPeIw/viewform
10am-5pm IP Showcase on the water
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) and the Video Services Forum (VSF) join forces for the free, one-day event.
- Session 1 and Session 2 – MXL & Dynamic Media Facilities
- Session 3 – Managing Dynamic Media Facilities
- Session 4 – Troubleshooting & Cyber Resilience
- Session 5 – Control Planes for AI & Cloud
- Session 6 – IPMX Case Studies & Certification
- Session 7 – Cameras, GPUs & Open Control
Register for free here: https://ipshowcaseonthewater2026.rsvpify.com/
4.00-5.00 Rise Happy Hour with Cuez, 6.A23
Register here.
MONDAY 14th SEPTEMBER
SMPTE Workshops at IBC2026
SMPTE will present two in-depth professional education workshops designed for engineers, architects and technology leaders seeking a strategic and practical roadmap for the modern media enterprise. Paid registration required.
9.30–12.30, G106
Technology Roadmap for the Modern Media Enterprise
Course modules include Visual Quality Formats, Codec Strategy, The Transition to IP, The Dynamic Media Facility, Graphics Workflows and Cinematography in Broadcast.
Speaker: Pierre Hugues Routhier, advanced imaging technologies specialist, Canadian Broadcasting Company
1.30–4.30, G106
DMF in Practice: Design and Operation for Software-Defined Production
Course modules include Dynamic Media Facility: Why It Matters, Building Blocks of a Software-Defined Media Facility, From Concepts to Practice and Live Demonstrations.
Speakers: Willem Vermost, senior IP media technology architect, EBU; Wim Van Roy, education architect, LAWO Academy
