How long have you been going to IBC?
Oooh – for quite a long time now! Perhaps more than I care to remember! But it’s probably about 15 years.
What’s your typical IBC routine: what are you there to see/learn, who are you there to meet?
I always arrive on the Thursday evening (except this year when I’m there from the Wednesday!) – I don’t think I’ve stayed in the same place twice, so it’s always helpful to get your bearings and know where you are in relation to key places. I generally have meetings lined up for most days, but also always allow time for networking, wandering the Halls and making new connections through events, lunches and of course at the infamous Beach Bar! I’ve also had a conference pass before, which has been amazing and allows you to really get in-depth with critical issues that are impacting the sector. This year I’m keen to meet individuals and companies who want to address diversity, education and skills within the industry.
Why is IBC important to you in a professional capacity, and how does the show compare to others on the calendar?
From a UK perspective, it is often questioned why attend a trade show abroad when you can meet contacts at home – but I think it is the number of meetings you can cram within a short period of time, the international contacts that you can make, in conjunction with new, shorter interactions that make it so worthwhile. This all sits alongside the technology and innovation that underpins the tradeshow too and the buzz of conversations on what is new, what is hot and what is going to drive the industry forwards, is critical for us all to understand and feedback into our work in some shape or form.
What are you most looking forward to at IBC 2024?
The Global Talent Manifesto is hosting the inaugural World Skills Café at IBC on 12th September where we are going to focus on Skills | Education | Diversity, allowing the industry a whole afternoon to focus on these areas and to develop an action plan for the coming year. This type of event has not been done before and I cannot wait to see it all in action!
And then of course the free-to-attend IBC Talent Programme on Monday in the Showcase Theatre, Hall 8 – this is going to be a fascinating day where the findings of the World Skills Café will help frame the conversations for the day as we delve deeper into discussions on skills and diversity.
What’s your top tip for anyone attending IBC for the first time?
Be open – you never know who you’re going to meet and how a small conversation might change the trajectory of your career or your business! And be prepared – to lose your voice, to stay up late, for your head to hurt and your feet to feel like they might fall off! But I promise it will be totally worth it!
