With nine weeks to go, IBC Show organisers have unveiled their plans to hold a hybrid event in December.
Following the reduction in Covid restrictions announced by the Dutch government earlier this month, organisers say they are “heading in the right direction” in terms of the physical event. “We are focusing on delivering an absolutely safe event,” CEO Mike Crimp told a media briefing.
While the rules around social distancing and wearing of masks have been relaxed, the IBC exhibition will include signs asking attendees to respect everyone’s preferences if they should want to continue with the measures.
The exhibition will also implement a “festival-style” perimeter fence, and include checks on vaccinations status, as well as recent Covid test status. Attendees from non-EU countries (such as the UK and US) will be able to gain access to the Netherlands with a negative PCR test, but organisers suggest they check both their own government and the Dutch government’s websites in the run-up to the event.
In terms of the digital side of the event, this year’s content programme will be free for everyone to access whether they are in Amsterdam or at home, the first time this has happened in the event’s history.
IBC Digital is a hybrid platform that will run in tandem with the live event, and enable users to watch content, schedule online meetings with exhibitors and other attendees, review exhibitor profiles, and invite colleagues to live meetings.
IBC 2021 takes place 3rd-6th December 2021 at the RAI in Amsterdam, Netherlands.