The Media Talent Manifesto (MTM) has confirmed the World Skills Café will return to IBC2026, featuring keynotes, panel and expert-led discussions aiming to confront the skills and diversity gap in the media and entertainment sector.
Evan Shapiro, known as the industry’s ‘Media Cartographer’ will open the event with a keynote providing a data-led insight on the structural shifts reshaping the workforce.
Commenting on the event’s return, Shapiro said, “Let’s stop pretending this is a pipeline problem. The map of media has been completely redrawn by creators, platforms and new economics. But our approach to talent hasn’t caught up. The World Skills Café is where the industry comes to face that truth and start doing something about it.”
Taking place at the Amsterdam RAI on Thursday 10 September from 2-5pm, the World Skills Café will enable attendees to identify critical skills gaps, explore new pathways into the industry and collaborate to accelerate diversity and inclusion across the sector.
The event will be accompanied by the publication of an IAMT report, Talent Trends in MediaTech, which aims to offer further insights and inform discussions.
Carrie Wootten, co-founder of MTM, said, “The pace of change across our industry is only accelerating, but the way we attract and develop talent hasn’t kept up. The World Skills Café is about bringing the industry together to address that disconnect head-on. What makes this initiative powerful is its focus on action – ensuring that the ideas and commitments made translate into real progress year-on-year.”
Jo Mayer, head of marketing at IBC, added, “Talent and skills development are central to the future of the industry. The World Skills Café plays an important role in bringing these conversations into focus at IBC, creating a space where the industry can come together to address shared challenges and drive meaningful progress.”
MTM also added that its On Air initiative, which emerged from the World Skills Café, is expanding significantly into a multi-channel global broadcast spanning news, sport, film and culture, providing hands-on experience across the full media workflow.
Registration and further details can be found here. The World Skills Café at IBC2026 is supported by sponsors including: Amazon Web Services, Deluxe, DTG, IAMT, Platform Communications and Vizrt.
