IBC stays in Amsterdam

Following months of speculation about a possible change of venue for Europe’s largest broadcast industry trade show, the IBC organisation has announced it will stay at the RAI in Amsterdam “for the foreseeable future.” In a statement, the IBC Partnership Board said it has taken this decision “after a thorough and robust review of alternative venues”, believed to have included Barcelona and Munich.

IBC COO Mike Crimp said in the statement: “As our stakeholders are aware, IBC has been reviewing its venue options for the future. IBC 2008 in Amsterdam was the most successful ever and also scored 7.8 out of a possible maximum 10 in IBC’s satisfaction survey of visitors. Also, the IBC Board is mindful of the current turmoil facing the global economy. These were key factors in the decision.

“The IBC management team has put a lot of work into this review and it is our intention to communicate the process, the factors considered and the drivers behind the decision. We aim to complete this by the end of 2008. Most people are aware that Barcelona is a serious contender for IBC’s future venue. The pros and cons of each venue will be presented and debated openly.

“To be clear, IBC’s contract with Amsterdam is always dependent on good performance, and includes the flexibility to change should the need arise,” Mike Crimp adds. The new arrangements with Amsterdam offer an improved deal for exhibitors on services booked at the RAI and a 10% reduction on hotel rates.

It is common knowledge that many exhibitors and visitors have complained about the (lack of) availability of suitable hotel accommodation in Amsterdam and the prices that come with it, with the service level of the city’s taxi system as well as the pricing of the services in the RAI building itself.